Shortly after the Lakers fired him last year, Byron Scott – who had been an NBA head coach 15 of the previous 16 seasons – said he wanted to coach again.
Nobody hired him last year. It appears there will be no openings this year.
Is there any chance Scott will coach again?
Scott, via TMZ:No.
I’ve had enough it.
I’m enjoying the retired life and working at ESPN. I love that, and I’m going to continue to do that.
I’m generally skeptical of answers in these ambush interviews, but Scott patiently explains his rationale. These appear to be the same answers he’d give in a more traditional setting.
I’m not sure Scott decided to retire as much as the NBA decided for him. New Orleans, Cleveland and Los Angeles all fired him after losing most of their games with him in charge. Only two coaches in NBA history – Gene Shue and Dick Motta – had losing records in three straight jobs then got another.
Scott looked more impressive early in his coaching career. He partnered with Jason Kidd to guide the New Jersey Nets to back-to-back Finals. Then, Scott helped launch Chris Paul’s career in New Orleans.
But it seemed the game passed him by. He infamously established himself as an old-school thinker who found no use for analytics or communicating with young players.
Scott talked a big game, especially when he got a chance with his beloved Lakers. Unfortunately for Scott, his biggest fan in management – Magic Johnson – now runs those same Lakers. Scott can’t go back there to coach, not how his tenure in Los Angeles ended. I’m not sure anyone else would hire him as a coach, either.
So, good for Scott that he’s enjoying retirement.