Byron Scott Comments on Future with Lakers, Fan Criticism and More

With the confetti now settled following Kobe Bryant's final game, Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott must look to the future and his place with the franchise after posting a 38-126 record over the last two seasons.   

Speaking to reporters Friday, per Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News, Scott did acknowledge that Bryant's retirement tour may have slowed down the Lakers' rebuilding process, before adding he "wouldn't trade [it for] anything in the world."

Despite the Lakers limping to a 17-65 record this season, per Medina, Scott said he never heard any criticism from team president Jeanie Buss or executive vice president of basketball operations Jim Buss about their record:

Addressing the criticism from outside circles, per Medina, Scott said he is one who will "roll with the punches. They're not in here every day. They have no clue." He added fan criticism didn't bother him because "I'm a lot smarter than all of them when it comes to basketball."

Looking ahead to next season, while an official decision has not been announced, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported "there’s [a] strong belief" Scott's option for 2016-17 will be exercised by the Lakers.

It was not exactly a ringing endorsement for Scott, as a source told Wojnarowski "there’s too much discord in ownership to generate a consensus on making a coaching change."

Per Medina, Scott's response when asked if he was expecting to be Los Angeles' head coach next season was "absolutely." He added that there are not currently any meetings scheduled with Jim or Jeanie Buss. 

The big topic of conversation for the Lakers this season, at least that wasn't related to Bryant, involved D'Angelo Russell and Nick Young. ESPN.com's Baxter Holmes and Marc Stein reported Russell was being frozen out by teammates for recording a private conversation with Young about the 30-year-old being with other women while he is engaged to pop star Iggy Azalea. 

Scott touched on the situation involving Young and Russell, per Medina:

Russell has to be a huge part of the Lakers' future now that they have gotten past Bryant's retirement tour. They invested the No. 2 overall pick in him in 2015. He did struggle in his rookie season, averaging 13.2 points and 3.3 assists per game, though he did look better in the second half, shooting 38.9 percent from three-point range. 

Next year will be an important season for the Lakers. The franchise isn't ready to compete for a playoff spot in the Western Conference yet, but it will likely have one of the first two picks to add another high-ceiling player. 

Barring a late change, Scott looks like he will be given the task of helping develop that talent. It will be the first year in which he really has a fair chance to showcase his ability as a leader of young players. Things haven't gone smooth in Los Angeles, but he will have a chance to make things better in 2016-17.