NBA Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson Reveal Byron Scott Locker Room Drama; Kobe Bryant Sole Backer of Ex Head Coach

By Mitch de Leon
NBA: Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers
April 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) dunks to score a basket against Utah Jazz during the second half at Staples Center.  Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers ended their NBA season mending two heartbreaks. The first one is the exit of Kobe Bryant from the roster, thereby ending the Black Mamba era. The second one is their failure to get in the NBA playoffs 2016. However, a third heartbreak welcomed the team once the playoffs started as Byron Scott was later on fired by the front office.

Amid the losses of the Los Angeles Lakers this season, the exit of Scott was hardly surprising. However, the continued support of the execs early on presumably allowed him to relax and take his sweet time in rebuilding the team post-Kobe Bryant. Moreover, the shock of Scott after this decision was made proved true the speculations that he was kept out of the loop throughout the season. Does this mean that the front office only kept Scott to please Kobe Bryant? Did the Black Mamba's exit signify the loss of the trump card of the former head coach?

"If I knew this was coming, I would have played Lou [Williams], Brandon [Bass] and guys like that a whole lot more," shared Scott of his regrets during his last year with the Los Angeles Lakers. He added, "They gave me the best chance to win."

Scott had been widely criticized for the kind of starting lineup he sent to the hardwood court. In addition, the former Los Angeles Lakers head coach reportedly feuded with D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson for his refusal to play them during crucial games. His decision to always allow Kobe Bryant in the starting group riled the fans as well. According to Scott though, his methods were meant to allow the younger guys in the Los Angeles Lakers roster to grow and mature more before they get bigger assignments.

Scott explained, "Young guys are young guys. You hope sooner or later with all those guys that the light bulb comes on and you get that 'aha moment' where they can say, 'I got it and understand what you're talking about it. We had those moments very sparingly."

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers are ready to move on from their botched NBA season. With Kobe Bryant gone and Scott out of the way, the front office appears to be gearing up to start another remarkable era - one that will succeed the greatness of the Black Mamba years. To achieve this goal, the Los Angeles Lakers have been repeatedly linked to Luke Walton. The Golden State Warriors assistant head coach, who is also rumored to be attracting the attention of the New York Knicks and Sacramento Kings, is eyed as the main man to helm the success of the Nick Young squad.

"It's just an understanding," shared Clarkson of his excitement over the potential entry of Luke Walton in their coaching staff. The 23-year-old added, "He's played the game, and he's been out here in L.A. I feel like he'll just be able to relate to us on different levels and make us all closer and want to compete."

Clarkson further noted, "I think everybody's really excited to have a young coach and a guy who believes in us. Just that style of play. It's just an exciting time. We text all the time. I talk to Julius [Randle] a lot, D'Angelo [Russell], Larry [Nance Jr.]is back at the facility working out right now. It's just cool to feel that vibe of energy."

  • ‘Wang Mingdao’s Diary’ reproduction highlights complexities of contemporary Chinese Christianity

    On December 9, the China Graduate School of Theology (中国神学研究院) hosted a public lecture titled “A Courageous Witness in the Times—Launch of Wang Mingdao (王明道)’s Diary.” The lecture, themed “Faith Patterns in Beijing’s Christian Churches Through the Lens of Wang Mingdao’s Diary,” featured Dr. Ni Buxiao (倪步晓), Associate Director and Assistant Professor at the Christian Faith and Chinese Culture Research Center of Alliance Bible Seminary (建道神学院), as the keynote speaker.

  • Floating library ‘Doulos Hope’ arrives in Taiwan; spreading love and hope from a former cruise ship

    Doulos Hope, the international floating book fair ship, has returned to Taiwan and is now docked at Kaohsiung Port, open to the public from December 18, 2024, to January 12, 2025. Originally built in 1991 and renovated in 2022, the ship features over 2,000 books on various topics, including faith, science, and art. It is operated by a diverse crew of 140 volunteers from 25 countries, offering services such as education, healthcare, and community outreach. The ship's mission is to spread hope and

  • Chinese Online School of Theology publishes annual ministry report: Expanding Chinese theological education through new strategies

    In the 2023-2024 academic year, New York-based Chinese Online School of Theology (COST) has seen significant development in expanding its ministry in theological education and mission outreach. They have promoted a series of new events and projects to explore different strategies that expand theological education for Chinese ministers. The following are some highlights from the 2023-2024 annual report:

  • Dr. Fenggang Yang: How foreign forces transformed traditional Chinese legal systems

    In a recent lecture to Chinese Christians, scholar Dr. Fenggang Yang (杨凤岗) gave an in-depth analysis of the historical evolution and contemporary significance of the modern legal system in Chinese society. He explored the tensions and integrations between traditional law and modern rule of law, highlighting the distinctive characteristics of China’s traditional legal system and emphasizing the role of foreign influences in introducing modern legal practices into Chinese society.

Top Stories