When Byron Scott was announced as the Los Angeles Lakers head coach, he took his time assembling his coaching staff. The first person he chose to bring aboard was long-time NBA assistant, Jim Eyen.
— Have You Seen These LIMITED EDITION “All LIN For LA” T-Shirts? —
Eyen has tons of experience in the NBA and in Los Angeles in general, being an assistant with both the Clippers and Lakers. While many have looked at the Lakers roster and felt it was subpar, Eyen has a different view as he shared with Lakers reporter Mike Trudell:
I like to be half-full, and I look at the roster as versatile. I look at it as tremendously experienced in some positions, very young in others. I think you look at our roster; you can play big at times, you can play small, you can play fast, you can play deliberate – all of which, at certain times in the season, will benefit you. I think that we have players – young, talented players and experienced players – that if the game is close, they can impact the game in our favor, one guy in particular.
Eyen will obviously be a little biased in his assessment, but he makes a very valid point. The Lakers have so many players capable of playing big minutes that the team will be able to change depending on what style they need to play that night.
The ability to adjust on a nightly basis is an advantage the Lakers have that many teams don’t. Whether the Lakers need to run and gun or grind it out, the team has the personnel to do so.
— Lakers Nation BLOWOUT SALE! Shirts Start At $12.50 + Free Shipping! Use Code: REDEMPTION —
And as Eyen said, if the game is close, the Lakers have that one player who can impact the game down the stretch.
[divide]Lakers GM Kupchak Expects Byron Scott To ‘Hold Players Accountable’