Byron Scott the newest coach in New Orleans

[EricaLubarsky]

I cant beleive no one has posted this. It's semi-big news.

May 28, 2004
Scott Named New Hornets Head Coach


New Orleans – The New Orleans Hornets announced they have hired Byron Scott as the seventh head coach in franchise history. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not released.


“We said we would go out and get the best available coach on the market and we succeeded,” said Hornets Owner George Shinn. “Now that we have Byron on board, we can concentrate on helping him succeed by continuing to do whatever it takes to make this team better.”

Scott comes to the Hornets after three-and-a-half seasons in New Jersey (2000-03), during which time he compiled a 149-139 (.517) record and took the Nets from the bottom of the Eastern Conference (only three teams were worse the season before he arrived) to one of the NBA’s elite teams. The Nets reached the NBA Finals twice under Scott’s leadership (2002 and 2003) and won back-to-back Atlantic Division titles.

“The reason we were able to get a coach who not only meets all the qualities we were looking for, but exceeds them, was the tremendously thorough job that George Shinn did in conducting this search and fulfilling his promise to get the best man for the job,” said Hornets Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Bob Bass.

After taking over as Nets head coach in 2000, Scott posted a 26-56 mark in his first year, but guided the Nets to a 52-30 record and a trip to the NBA Finals in the 2001-02 season, just his second as a head coach at any level. The 52 wins were a Nets franchise record and represented the sixth-best turnaround (26 games) in NBA history, while Scott was named head coach of the Eastern Conference All-Star Team during the 2002 All-Star Game in Philadelphia. The team finished the 2002-03 regular season at 49-33 (second-best record in the Eastern Conference) and captured its second consecutive Atlantic Division crown before once again appearing in the Finals. Prior to joining the Nets, Scott spent two seasons (1998-99 and 1999-00) as an assistant coach with the Sacramento Kings, where the team posted their first back-to-back winning seasons (27-23 and 44-38) in 20 years.

“The tremendous success that Byron has achieved as both a coach and a player will be key in helping us reach our goal of putting the best possible team on the floor,” said Shinn. “We’re excited to have him help us give the fans of New Orleans with what they deserve--a team that will compete and contend at the highest level possible.”

Scott began his coaching career after 14 years as a player in the NBA with Los Angeles (1983-93, 1996-97), Indiana (1993-95) and Vancouver (1995-96). Scott, who holds career averages of 14.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists, won three NBA championships (1985, 1987, 1988) as a key member of the Lakers’ “Showtime” era. He experienced only two losing seasons as a player and his teams qualified for the playoffs in 13 of his 14 seasons. His best season came during the Lakers’ 1988 championship run, when he averaged 21.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists.

[DubOverdose]

I wonder how long he will stay? Eastern Conference coaches don't last long, but the Hornets will be in the West next year.

[MavsFanatik33]

This is a perfect time for the Hornets to get a new coach. They need a new style of play to get over that ".500 hump" and they're going to be a western team, which makes it all the more tougher.

[cheesestar]

does anyone think that the hornets will make te playoffs this year?

[mavsfanforever]

Hornets have a pretty good potential to win the east every year. They have one of the top PGs and one of the top Centres in the east.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally posted by: mavsfanforever
Hornets have a pretty good potential to win the east every year. They have one of the top PGs and one of the top Centres in the east.

They just need a good, defensive coach and to get rid of Monster Mash for some complimentary players.

They're halfway there, really. Halfway to being a good team but unless Detroit and the Pacers implode they wont be best in the East for years.

[SaltwaterChaffy]

or ever, since they are moving to the West next year.

[cheesestar]

woops, yeah that's what i meant. does anyone think that they will make the playoffs in the west?

[DubOverdose]

Originally posted by: cheesestar
woops, yeah that's what i meant. does anyone think that they will make the playoffs in the west?

It will be tough, but I think they will get close to making the playoffs depending on their offseason and Jamal Mashburn.

[cheesestar]

i think they'll make the playoffs at the 8th seed or be grinding at it with denver to the end

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally posted by: SaltwaterChaffy
or ever, since they are moving to the West next year.

True. Im keeping my hopes up for a Mavs ECF spot.

[MavsFanatik33]

Originally posted by: EricaLubarsky


True. Im keeping my hopes up for a Mavs ECF spot.

That'd be so great, we'd be in the finals every year.....

[sike]

it would be a cheap way to win...i'd rather they earn it in the west!

[Nash13]

It's hard to predict how next season would be because of offseason moves. If they were in the west this season, it's obvious that they wouldn't have.