They remain extremely cautious in their search for a head coach. They're the only team in the NBA without one, despite having interviewed Byron Scott three times.
Other names in the hunt include Mike Dunleavy and Kurt Rambis, but no one seems to have gained the same level of traction as Scott.
Unless someone comes from behind in this race, the former coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, New Orleans Hornets and New Jersey Nets will likely end up with the job.
What's the best- and worst-case scenarios for the Lakers with Scott at the helm? A look at his resume, as well as the history of this coaching search, offers some clues.
Best Case
Having Kobe Bryant in your corner is always a step in the right direction for a coach. And if we can take Kobe at his word, he's already in Scott's corner.
A good relationship between coach and superstar is critical for team chemistry. For comparison's sake, look at how poorly Mike D'Antoni and Pau Gasol got along the last couple years. The Lakers' win-loss record (67-87 under D'Antoni) reflected that in many ways.
But it will take more than a strong relationship between Bryant and Scott to be successful.
As a coach, Scott's had two seasons with at least 50 wins and two more with 49. Those teams were led by arguably the best point guards in the league at the time—Jason Kidd in 2001-02 and 2002-03, and Chris Paul in 2007-08 and 2008-09.
That kind of point guard isn't on the current Lakers roster. Jeremy Lin is solid, but he's no Kidd or Paul.
Is there another player who could take on that mantle?
Scott's suggestion that Bryant changes the way he plays sounds like a coach who doesn't w...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
