Even though the Los Angeles Lakers were struggling mightily this 2015-16 NBA season, no one expected head coach Byron Scott to bench Julius Randle and D’Angelo Russell, two of the franchise’s cornerstones for the future.
With Scott already a primary target for fan anger this season, this decision took pretty much all fans over the edge.
Russell and Randle weren’t told about the demotion beforehand and seemingly aren’t happy with the decision, though they have accepted it. According to Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News, Scott still has yet to talk with either about the move:
Byron said he has not talked to Russell and Randle about their demotions: "It's a big boys league. You got to come to work everyday."
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) December 9, 2015
This has become a common theme with Scott in that he doesn’t feel it necessary to explain his moves or decisions to the players whom it affects. Earlier this season, Russell said that he didn’t know what he could do to play more in fourth quarters because Scott hadn’t talked with him about it.
Whether it is wrong or right, Scott has his ways and he has not changed them. He believes that it is a man’s game and that players should be able to accept their roles without him having to explain everything to them.
Patience with Scott is running out, if it isn’t completely gone already. If the team continues to lose and the young players remain on the bench, something will need to change.