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Byron Scott: Kobe could play some power forward for Lakers this season

By Cody Williams

Jan 21, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) with head coach Byron Scott against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Lakers 96-80. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) with head coach Byron Scott against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans defeated the Lakers 96-80. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kobe Bryant is one of the best guards in the history of the NBA, but Byron Scott wants him to play at a drastically different position this season.

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The Los Angeles Lakers aren’t going to be looking at making the NBA Playoffs in the 2015-16 season. Even with the additions of second overall pick D’Angelo Russell and reigning Sixth Man of the Year, Lou Williams, there’s still not enough talent on this team to see them being one of the eight best teams in the Western Conference. Even with Julius Randle and Kobe Bryant back healthy and ready to get back on the floor again, their projected results look the same.

That isn’t stopping Lakers head coach Byron Scott from looking to get his best players on the floor by any means necessary. In fact, it’s looking like Scott is willing to take some drastic measures in regards to Kobe to get his best players in the game together.

While having Russell and Williams in addition to emerging young guard Jordan Clarkson might result in Kobe seeing some minutes as a small forward, Scott is looking to get even crazier. Scott told David Aldridge at NBA.com that there are times this season where we could see Kobe at the four. That’s right; Kobe Bryant could see minutes at power forward this season

In fairness to Scott, this isn’t as crazy as it sounds on the surface. With the prominence of playing small-ball in the NBA today, Bryant at the four may not be an unrealistic matchup. What would make it borderline insanity is if the Lakers try it against certain teams where lineups with Bryant at power forward would put them at a huge disadvantage. Teams like the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans certainly come to mind in that regard.

More than just how it’s going to work for the Lakers in terms of success, this possible tactic from Scott seems unfair to Bryant and to fans. This could be Kobe’s last NBA season and, even if it isn’t, he’s undeniably on his last legs in the league. While Scott’s inclination to tweak lineups in the interest of getting younger players on the floor is understandable, playing power forward isn’t how Kobe deserves to go out of the league or even just the Lakers organization.

We have no idea as of now just how often Scott plans to put Kobe at the four or even if he’ll wind up putting it into practice at all this season. However, the idea is enough to leave casual and diehard fans alike shaking their heads vigorously.

H/T to ProBasketballTalk

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