Coach of the year Byron Scott has an option to way since his Hornets have been bounced from the NBA playoffs by the S.A. Spurs. Does he want to stick around a few more years or sell himself to the highest bidder? Ofcourse there's a team named the Chicago Bulls who not only have some great young talent already on it's roster but also just so happen to own the rights to the #1 pick in the upcoming draft. That's something to really think about. At this time that seems to be the furthest thing from his mind.
"I expect to be here," Scott said. "In my mind right now I hope to be hear unless something crazy happens."
Scott earns about 3.5 million a season right now. The Hornets majority owner George Shinn says he plans to make Scott a fair extension offer which would make Scott one of the highest paid coaches in the league.
"Byron has done an outstanding job for us," Shinn said. "I'm tired of flip-flopping and firing coaches. I want somebody to stay that I like. ... I'm not going to be stupid. I'll be as fair as I can to get him to stay with us."
Scott just so happens to be the Hornets third coach in three seasons. Which makes it easy to understand where Shinn is coming from. Scott has turned this franchise completely around since coming over. Ofcourse having the oportunity to land PG Chris Paul had something to do with it as well.
He also had to deal with the teams relocation to Oklahoma city after being displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Something few coaches might have been able to handle. After returning this season back to New Orleans he helped lead his young team to a franchise record 56 wins and a Southwest division title.
Shinn said that the teams top priority right now is a long term extension for Chris Paul who would be a restricted free agent after next season. GM Jeff Bower said they are well prepared to offer that extension because they have been preparing for it for several seasons.
Shinn says that Scott's extension is the next priority on his list.
"It's a great scenario for him. He's worked hard to develop the players he has," Shinn said of Scott. "If we can pay the same as somebody else why would he leave."
Scott said he wouldn't if what Shinn said on wednesday comes thru.
Pheonix is also searching for a coach to take over after D'Antoni left for...browner pastures in N.Y. but both Chicago and Pheonix aren't exactly easy jobs to walk into. No if Shinns offer is fair as he says he'll make it, then the right thing to do would be for Scott to stay with his team. A team that knows what he expects from them and has already shown they will work hard for him. The sky's the limit with these young Hornets. Scott is just the man to continue with them on that journey to the NBA's version of the promised land.
no doubt about it...Byron Scott has earned his keep in New Orleans. I know I got at him about some decisions he made in the waning moments of game 7 vs the Spurs, but I never said he wasn't a good coach. And further more, in a day when loyalty seems to mean nothing (when money enters the equation), i believe Scott would make a huge statement to the organization, to the players, and to the rest of the league by taking a stand and investing more of himself in these players.
Why would he even think about going anywhere else after the incredible season he had with these young, up and coming Hornets.
I say it's a good deal, and better luck next year...I'm looking for the Hornets to be right back in the mix.
Gamestorm, First thanks for dropping in. Secondly you are right. Money seems to be all that matters to most players and has trickled on down to coaches and personel as well. Staying with this team which is his intentions would go a long way to in these young players minds. Thx and I agree we will be back to and nobody will be surprised this time around.
Scott would be wise to stay in N.O. Phoenix is in decline, and Chicago isn't ready to challenge (yet) the top teams in the East. If the Hornets add a few more pieces, they'll be more than capable of being an elite team in the tougher West. So Byron, just stay put.
Downs,
I have to agree Phoenix window has now closed shut. Chicago is two maybe three years from contending. The Hornets are a player away from being a finalist next season. Many good years in store for Scott if he stays.
ramogriff,
Haven't heard that in a while. that used to be a slogen used here in New Oleans years ago for the Saints when they were winning. The kid who did those Rally's commercials then was from New Orleans.
Glad to hear that Byron is staying with the Hornets, who are a Michael Redd and another solid defensive big man away from really contending for the NBA title.
I would have hated it for Byron to coach the Suns. Scott would have a heart attack trying to motivate that team to play defense.
Coach Scott, the Lakers will see you in the Western Conference Finals in 2009.
J-DIZZLE,
Getting Michael Redd will prove to be a hard land for the Hornets. Peja and Mo Pete make more money than they are worth. They'll need to free up some money in order to do that. I haven't exactly checked the figures out just going off the top my head at this point.
I agree Scott would have been severely depressed in the Phoenix trying to get that bunch to play defense. He might have slit his wrist after the first half a season.
Hornets will be back in the playoffs make no mistake about that. But as you said they are atleast a player maybe two away from being where the Lakers are now.
I have no real opinion on coach Scott.
Now really, what fans knew he was the coach till this year?
Isn't it amazing how a coach is suddenly 'smart' when he has a dominant, stud player like CP3!
da Bulls had a coach like that once and then he jumped to Kobe's team. Players win and coaches help stop losses.
Did you forget that he happened to take the New Jersey Nets, who had no center, to the NBA Finals two years in a row?
Scott is great not because of x's and o's. He's an effective motivator for young players because he commands respect and he's a great communicator. He knows how to deal with egos and knows how to get his players to play hard.
J-DIZZLE,
Not only that but he is a very defensive minded coach. He demands alot from his team. I wish you all could see how hard he is on the team during training camp. Man he runs them until they almost puke. Sooner or later it's all going to pay off for Scott. He will get a ring as a coach, just as he did as a player for the Lakers 3 times I might add. He was a smart player, which in turn makes him a smart coach.
I grew up a Lakers fan from the 80's and was a huge fan of Scott's, he was a great Player in his day. Then again so was just about everyone who played for the Lakers then.
He did well with the Nets and almost won the West. He takes the Spurs to seven games. I hope he stays and am very glad he (deservingly) won coach of the year.
Interesting that he has played the Spurs twice in the playoffs, each time with a different team. and played them close both times. Lost to the Spurs in 6 with the Nets and in 7 with the Hornets.
The perfect breakfast as I see it.
You’re sitting at the table and your son is on the cover of Wheaties, your mistress is on the cover of Playboy, and your wife is on the back of the milk carton.
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