Lakers News: Byron Scott Wise to Play Kobe Bryant at Point Guard

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott refuses to stop tinkering with his squad. With the team off to a 6-16 start, it's about all he can do to prove that he's committed to turning things around and winning games. Point guard Jeremy Lin was recently demoted in favor of Ronnie Price, with Carlos Boozer joining him for an early shift on the courtside seats.

Position changes appear to be in the works as well. After the Lakers' 98-95 comeback win over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night, Kobe Bryant could be seeing a few more minutes playing the role of floor general in the Lakers lineup.

According to the Los Angeles Times' Mike Bresnahan, Scott wants to insert Bryant at point guard for some time in two of the team's next three games.



"You will see it again. I thought it was very effective,” he said, via Bresnahan. “I feel real good when the ball is in his hands. No. 1, he can get his own shot, obviously. No. 2, he can create shots for his teammates."

If the Lakers are truly committed to being a more competitive team this season—as if Bryant would even have it any other way—Scott's choice here is a wise one.

Bryant has held the Lakers offense hostage for much of the season. His usage rate stands at a staggering 36.4 percent, and he's making just 39 percent of the 22.4 shots he's taking per contest. With talented scorers like Nick Young on the team and a hardworking post player like Jordan Hill, it's an unnecessary way for the Lakers to go about things this season.

Playing Kobe at point guard might turn the facilitator switch in his brain permanently to the "on" position, benefiting the players around him and making the team eminently more watchable as a result.

In the Lakers' back-to-back wins over the Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons this season, Bryant put up 12 and 13 assists, respectively. In both of those contests, all five Lakers starter...

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