Despite lack of assurances, Byron Scott expects to coach Lakers next season

Lakers coach Byron Scott said he believes he will coach next season.  (photo by John McCoy/Los Angeles News Group)

Lakers coach Byron Scott said he believes he will coach next season. (photo by John McCoy/Los Angeles News Group)

Despite not receiving any assurances from the Lakers’ front office, Byron Scott hardly flinched on whether he thinks he will coach the Lakers in the 2016-17 season.

“Yeah,” Scott said. “Absolutely.”

Scott said he has not had any conversations with Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak or executive vice president of basketball operations surrounding his job status. Scott added no one has any meetings scheduled. Yet, Scott maintained, “I think we’re all on the same page.”

Back when the Lakers hired Scott two years ago, he expressed optimism about rebuilding a franchise back into purple and gold glory after winning three NBA championships during the Showtime Era. Yet, Scott has overseen the Lakers go a combined 38-126 through the past two seasons. Those marks became bad enough to represent the Lakers worst records in franchise history in consecutive years.

“I have to assess the job I’ve done. Guys know here I’m not happy with the way we’ve played as a basketball team,” Scott said. “That’s the price you pay with young guys to develop. But overall the record is what it is, and that’s what you’re judged by.”

Still, Scott strongly dismissed the public criticism that paints him as the primary reason for the Lakers’ record or sub-par defensive performances. He conceded the “possibility” Bryant’s farewell tour partly disrupted his young players’ development. Scott also acknowledged the want for a better roster.

“I roll with the punches. They’re not in here every day. They have no clue,” Scott said of fan criticism. “To be honest, I’m a lot smarter than all of them when it comes to basketball.”

Scott also defended his strong disciplinarian style, specifically toward his young players.

“I don’t hold back punches and don’t sugarcoat it,” Scott said. “They understand exactly how I want them to play. Sometimes I do it in a playful way and serious way.”

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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com