It would be unfair -- and untrue -- to assume the fates of the Lakers and Warriors would be any different if Byron Scott and Luke Walton changed positions.
But it's not unfair to assume that Scott's primary responsibility in coaching Los Angeles was to give Kobe Bryant the proper send-off, which is why the Lakers should hand the reins over to Walton in 2016-17.
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Walton was named NBA Coach of the Month for November, even though he's only the fill-in for Golden State while Steve Kerr recovers from multiple back surgeries. But the former Laker is increasing his stock value as he continues to guide the defending champions -- who have yet to lose under his watch through 23 games -- according to The Los Angeles Times.
"Given how well Walton has guided his team without Kerr, look for the former Lakers forward to find many suitors this offseason as they look to hire head coaches. Unfortunately for Walton, wherever he lands next season, Stephen Curry won't be coming with him."
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He also wouldn't have Bryant, either, which is handcuffing Scott at the moment -- but Scott seems unwilling to alter how he handles the aging star.
In fact, Scott recently moved point guard D'Angelo Russell and power forward Julius Randle -- the team's top draft choices the last two years -- to the bench while keeping Bryant in the lineup.
That has to be an indication that Scott is not a coach that wants to develop young talent, although general manager Mitch Kupchak remains supportive of Scott in a roundabout sort of way.
"Last year and this year have been very challenging for a coach of this franchise. Period," Kupchak said, another Times report indicated. "I think Byron has got to continue to mess with combinations and search. That's really all you can do. What we're doing right now has not resulted in the kind of record that we like, so my guess is he's going to try and continue to move things around and try to find something that does. That's what a coach does.
"I know people aren't happy but that also should be directed at me. That's the bottom line. Everybody has to share in the blame. Whether that's the GM, the coach or the players, it's got to be directed somewhere."
But Kupchak does acknowledge the absence of developing the team's youth as a priority.
"I think our fans would understand if you're actually developing young players and there's some growth, and maybe that's yet to come. But in the first 20 games, it's tough to find consistent results to feel good about."
Scott appears to be an old-school coach, which does not mesh with the current unit the Lakers have. Walton is younger and is currently surrounded by a winning aura that Los Angeles desperately needs.
He also has an endorsement from Bryant.
Kobe on Luke Walton: "He always had a really brilliant mind & understanding flow & tempo & spacing & how to manage a team the right way."— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) November 23, 2015
Kobe laughing said he used to tease Luke Walton: "Told him he was the next Phil (Jackson) b/c he was an average player w/ a messed up back."— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) November 23, 2015
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