NBA Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers Coach Byron Scott Challenging Defense Doesn’t Change Anything

Fresh Videos

By @AnthonyIrwinNBA

Getty Images

Getty Images

“To be honest with you, most of the time, the things that we want to do, they haven’t done. And I don’t know if it’s because they’re incapable of doing it or not. They got pretty much anything they wanted in the paint with no resistance whatsoever. It was just terrible. That was probably the worst defense that we’ve played from the preseason all the way to this particular point.”

That was Byron Scott after his Los Angeles Lakers lost to the New Orleans Pelicans Wednesday night. News flash to Scott: When Jeremy Lin, Kobe Bryant and Carlos Boozer are key cogs of your lineup, your team isn’t capable of very much defensively. Grin and bear it, Byron. It probably isn’t getting any better.

That is, of course, unless Scott alters his lineups and/or rotations.

Lin, for all he’s worth offensively, hasn’t exactly been considered for All-NBA defense at any point in his career. He lacks the lateral quickness to really alter any decent point guard’s path to the basket and usually requires rim protection to make up for his shortcomings. Jordan Hill and the aforementioned Boozer are no rim protectors.

As fervent as his supporters may be, Kobe hasn’t played any real defense consistently in about two years. Remember, he hardly played any of last season and, in the year before that, came under legitimate criticism for allowing big nights by his matchup any given night. He’ll show flashes in which he decides to guard the ball with fervor, but Bryant tends to get lost off the ball going for steals. As the three-pointer has become a larger part of opposing offenses, losing track of shooting guards (typically the best shooter on the court) cripples Bryant’s team’s defenses.

Kobe’s loose tendencies play a major part in why the Lakers are currently ranked 28th in the league in three-point percentage allowed (40 percent) and are giving up nine three-pointers made per game. This all contributes to their league-leading 111.5 points given up per game. Their brutal schedule to this point has something to do with that, but those are ugly stats all the same.

Ed Davis has widely been considered the Lakers’ best defensive presence, blocking 1.6 shots per game. Problem is, Davis is third in the Lakers’ rotation of big men behind Hill and Boozer. If Scott has such a problem with the way his team is playing defense, maybe he should consider swapping Davis for Boozer in the starting lineup. Scott points to spacing as why Davis and Hill don’t play together often, but you know what helps spacing? Making three pointers, of which the Lakers are converting 5.5 per game, the 25th lowest in the NBA.

Strong quotes like at the top of the article make my job easier, but they don’t really do anything to improve the team. Calling out your team and shifting the blame is a cheap way to avoid your own criticism.

Scott has benefited by a false narrative. When he was hired, Scott was hailed as a defensive savior and preached toughness on that side of the ball — which is hilarious considering during his time coaching the Cleveland Cavaliers, his teams consistently ranked 26th or worse in defensive rating. Numbers are fun.

Lin and Kobe will continue playing because there are really no other viable options at their positions. That’s fine. But as Boozer continues to rotate slowly while Davis sits there watching, we can look forward to more quotes about the Lakers’ terrible effort from the coach who preaches defense.

Anthony F. Irwin is an NBA, NFL, MLB and NCAA Football contributor for www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. Send him an email at .

Share Tweet
Trending Now on