The news had already leaked a few days ago and now it’s official: Byron Scott (photo ©Erik Drost) is the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. The team policy is not to rleased the details of the agreement but according to rumors the contract is for four years for a total of $17 million. The native of Inglewood, near the old Forum where the Lakers played for several years, will have the difficult task of bringing the team back to a high level after the last difficult seasons.
Byron Scott was among the protagonists of the Los Angeles Lakers of the ’80s, the Showtime team that marked that NBA decade. As a coach he had his ups and downs, reaching two NBA finals with the New Jersey Nets, obtaining good results with the New Orleans Hornets, instead he had little luck with the Cleveland Cavaliers that didn’t have LeBron James on their roster.
Kobe Bryant indicated his preference for Byron Scott, recalling how his new coach was a sort of mentor for him when he arrived in the NBA. Scott told USA Today that he and Bryant have ideas about basketball that are very similar. Surely all this was important in the Lakers choice.
Now, after the typical enthusiastic statements by Byron Scott, the Lakers general manager Mitch Kuptchak and other people involved, comes the really hard part. Indeed, there are many doubts about the value of the team after trades thate weren’t particularly exciting.
The Los Angeles Lakers were hoping to bring some really big names in California, possibly LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony. The choice of the new coach was delayed to discuss the decision with the possible new superstar. Eventually, Pau Gasol, the protagonist of the last two NBA titles won by the Lakers, left and they signed Carlos Boozer and Jeremy Lin, players who occasionally have done great things but at the highest levels have never convinced.
In the next season the Los Angeles Lakers can hope to finally have a healthy Kobe Bryant. However, in a few weeks the player is turning 36, another reason why it’s difficult to understand how decisive he can still be. Given the level of the Western Conference, the new Lakers have better quickly find a good chemistry, otherwise it will be difficult for them to reach the playoffs.
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