LA Clippers' victory ensures LA Lakers' worst record in team history

The humbling experiences did not just involve Kobe Bryant’s ongoing fight with Father Time. Or that the Lakers looked disjointed offensively.

The Lakers lost to the Clippers 91-81 on Wednesday in a designated home game at Staples Center, a game that ensured the Lakers will end the 2015-16 season with their worst record in franchise history. Bryant posted 17 points on only 6-of-19 shooting in 27 minutes. The Clippers’ J.J. Redick (15 points), DeAndre Jordan (15), Chris Paul (13) and Blake Griffin (13) punished the Lakers’ flimsy defense.

Julius Randle tied for a career-high 19 rebounds, while D’Angelo Russell eclipsed Nick Van Exel for most 3-pointers made by a rookie in Lakers history. But those are just footnotes in an otherwise dour season.

If this sounds repetitive, it is. The Lakers also finished last year with their previous worst mark in franchise history with a 21-61 mark, a milestone that did not become official until incidentally losing in a double-digit loss to the Clippers in early April.

This time, the Lakers (16-62) at best will tie with the Phoenix Suns for the NBA’s second-worst record behind the Philadelphia 76ers. If the they lose any of their four remaining games, however, the Lakers will have the league’s second-worst mark with 55.8 percent odds of keeping their top-three protected draft pick.

This only sparks more questions besides if the ping-pong balls will bounce their way.

How did the Lakers fare worse than last year’s team when they have fielded a relatively healthier Bryant and a crop of young players, including Russell, Randle and Jordan Clarkson?

“I’m very critical of myself. I think I could’ve done better,” Lakers coach Byron Scott said. “I still think I can do better. But the other thing I look at is I have a bunch of young guys that also at times have to treat with kid gloves.”

Scott has often questioned his players’ effort following debilitating losses. He also yanked starting positions from Russell and Randle 20 games into the season after becoming frustrated both with the Lakers’ slow starts and their inconsistency.

Scott revealed that Bryant recently told him “he’ll continue to call me and prevent me from jumping off the ledge every now and then.” Earlier this week, Scott lamented the 37-year-old Bryant and 36-year-old Metta World Peace has played with more intensity than his younger players.

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And yet ...

“With our young guys, could I probably have done a better job? Probably so,” Scott said. “I have to look at that this summer and how can I help them next year to get even better?”

Scott has two years left on his contract, including a team option in his final year. But the Lakers will not determine until the 2015-16 season ends whether Scott fits in their long-term future.

Scott had gaered some sympathy on the challenges in managing a newly assembled roster, young players and an aging Bryant. But the Lakers obviously are not happy with their record and want to see continual development in their young players.

Scott said he has leaed to communicate more with his players and explain the thought process behind his decisions.

“You don’t have to give up who you are, which is not what I’m going to have to do,” Scott said. “But you do have to adapt and understand now the communication level has to be much better. With these young guys, I’ve definitely done a better job of understanding this is a different generation.”