Byron Scott is becoming a master of reversing course. But it comes with the territory of trying to save one's job.
The embattled Los Angeles Lakers coach announced that he no longer will bench his young starters in the fourth quarter if they struggle during the team's final 13 games of the 2015-16 season, according to the Orange County Register.
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"That's my goal," Scott said, "is allow them to be out there and play through the mistakes and play through when they're playing badly. They have to figure out how to come together as a group."
It's unclear whether Scott has been given marching orders or whether he came to that realization himself. But the quick change of heart is telling, and may be an indicator of Scott's future with the franchise.
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Just two days earlier, Scott defended his decision to go with his veteran second unit when the starters -- namely Jordan Clarkson, D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle - were not playing the way he wants.
During a game last week against the New York Knicks, Scott went with veterans Marcelo Huertas, Lou Williams and Brandon Bass. When pressed for an explanation, the Lakers coach said Russell, Randle and Clarkson had received "enough experience" playing late in games and that "sometimes they've got to understand that when that (second) unit is in there playing well ... I am going to go with them," the Orange County Register added.
At 14-55 on the season, Los Angeles must win seven of its remaining games to avoid a second consecutive franchise-record low for wins.
Scott's handling of the Lakers youth, particularly Russell, has been criticized for most of the season as he has kept the future of the franchise on a short leash. He left the future of the franchise on the bench in the fourth quarter repeatedly during the first part of the season as a deterrent for lackluster play, rather then letting the No. 2 pick in the 2015 draft try to improve through experience.
Scott said when his young players fall behind, they tend to try to take over games on their own, rather than playing together like the second unit has done.
But with just 14 wins on the season, it doesn't appear as if either unit is having much success.
Which is why Scott's about-face likely is more of an indication on his future than his team's.
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