Byron Scott spent most of his playing career in Los Angeles when he played with the Los Angeles Lakers during the showtime era. After coaching in a few cities far from Los Angeles, Scott finds himself in a position to return to Tinsletown. Only if he makes his return, he will be a coach. And oh by the way, he will be coaching the Clippers.
With Vinny Del Negro out as the Clippers’ head coach, the search is on to find a new coach. There are a handful of coaches to fill the current Clippers vacancy, but the one that makes the most sense is Scott.
He is not just some up and coming coach with minimal experience. He has been a successful head coach with the New Jersey Nets and the New Orleans Hornets. He lead the Nets to back to back NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003. In New Orleans he had the opportunity to coach a rising star out of Wake Forest by the name of Chris Paul. That same guard he coached just happens to be with the team needing a head coach. At least for the time being until he becomes a free agent in July.
This is a veteran coach who demands the respect of his players and his experience is proof in the pudding. Not all of Scott’s coaching experience has translated into success as he was let go last month by the Cleveland Cavaliers when their season ended. Scott failed to get the Cavs to the postseason in any of the three seasons.
When Clippers’ owner Donald Sterling fired Del Negro, he made a statement to his team and the league. The Clippers are moving in the right direction with its players. Sterling felt his coach was not on the same page. People can say what they will about the possibility of Chris Paul getting Vinny Del Negro fired, but the main concern was the players did not respect Del Negro. If the Clippers are going to win a championship, they need a coach they can trust and respect. That coach is Byron Scott and the hiring makes perfect sense; especially if they want a chance at resigning Chris Paul this summer.
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