In an NBA where a coach can get by without a whiteboard and where the X's and O's that are translated to on-court execution come almost exclusively from the creativity and discipline of the star players and ball-handlers, a head coach's adeptness consists of his lineup combinations, substitutions, motivational talk, fostering of locker room culture, and influence on general manager decisions involving personnel. One doesn't have to search far to see that Byron Scott is failing these responsibilities absolutely miserably.
An NBA team has a 15-man roster (12 active, eligible players, 3-man inactive list). Even the casual basketball fan recognizes that, at most, 10 players will regularly see time on the court from game to game. The worst players are either limited to competing in practice and watching from the bench on game day, or they are sent to develop their skills in another league, such as the NBA's D League. Its simple, the worst players don't play because prioritizing participation of your team's worst players over maximizing the minutes of better players increases the team's chance at underperforming and losing. This is REALY, REALY SIMPLE. Its nothing we don't know.
An NBA coach's objective is to win as many games as possible so to improve the team's odds of reaching the ultimate objective of winning the NBA championship. Still, this is simple.
So, why then, when asked whether or not he would bench the Laker's worst player, did Byron Scott say "I would never, never, never do that." Byron Scott would not consider benching his worst player? That seems like a terribly ill informed decision from any coach, let alone the head coach of the storied Los Angeles Lakers.
Am I leaving something out? Oh yeah! The worst player on the Los Angeles Lakers? It is 37 year old Kobe Bryant. Not only is he the worst player on his team, but, based on field goal percentage of qualified players, he is the worst player in the NBA.
When the Lakers had the opportunity to end the now historic winning streak of the Golden State Warriors, Kobe Bryant shot 1-of-14 from the field. Byron Scott himself could've shot 1-of-14 if he took Kobe's minutes and laced up his own pair Nikes.
Clearly there is more at play here. Kobe Bryant belongs on the Mount Rushmore of NBA faces. He is a Laker legend no doubt. Kobe has given that city more than they could every repay him. But, do they owe him a starting spot? If you're Byron Scott the answer is NO. Coaches are supposed to be the pragmatic decision makers on when the whistle blows. Whether it is his own deep loyalties to Kobe Bryant, or, more likely, the strong influence coming from Lakers' management (Scott's employer), Scott refuses to consider changing his lack of effort in curing the Kobe plague that is slowly killing the Lakers.
He is being paid to generate wins and get the most out of the roster that management gives him. A logical coach would sit Kobe given the authority from management or not. Logical, pragmatic and objective-centered coaches find success in today's NBA, not those afraid to make changes.
By not sitting Kobe, Byron Scott is failing the Lakers, he is failing their fan base, and he is even failing his own career.
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