For the second consecutive year, the Los Angeles Lakers find themselves with 50 losses and a lottery pick assuming it lands in the top-five. Despite another lackluster record, however, the Lakers have been competitive on a nightly basis and have rarely been blown out during the second half of the season.
— Think You Know Everything About Kobe Bryant? Take The Ultimate Kobe Quiz! —
This has not gone unnoticed by the front office as according to Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News, head coach Byron Scott said that general manager Mitch Kupchak complimented him during their most recent meeting last week:
He said I’ve been doing a great job in getting all these guys to play hard every night,” Scott said. “With all the injuries that we’ve had and to be in the games that we’ve been in, he thinks I’ve done a terrific job.”
According to Medina, Scott also said that the front office reiterated that the Lakers could be in for a long rebuilding, but they are focused on this off-season:
Scott reported the Lakers’ front office conceded a possible lengthy rebuilding process that they would address in the 2015 offseason through the NBA Draft in late June and free agency in July.
The Lakers could potentially have two first and second-round draft picks, as well as enough cap space to offer someone a maximum deal. If the Lakers plan on making improvements anytime soon, this summer will be instrumental in turning things around.
Scott does deserve credit for keeping these Lakers competitive and playing hard at a time when many teams splinter and give up. Now in the summer, it will be up to the Lakers front office to improve the roster and get the Lakers on the road back to championship contention.
[divide]Steve Nash Announces His Retirement, Byron Scott Reflects On His Career