There is an understandable reverence among Lakers fans for Jerry Buss.
The late owner ran the franchise in a top-notch manner, so many of his moves turning to gold.
One that didn’t work, at least how the Lakers hoped: Hiring Mike Brown.
But, according to Magic Johnson, Brown was not Buss’ top choice.
Byron Scott, the Lakers’ newest coach, was.
Johnson, via Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times:
It all worked out as well as could be reasonably expected for everyone involved.
The post-Jackson Lakers were never talented and healthy enough to win with any significance anyway. Neither Brown nor Scott was going to make a difference.
Scott got an extra year of salary, coaching his first season with the Cavaliers while Jackson completed his final year in Los Angeles. And though his Cleveland teams struggled, that didn’t prevent him from getting the job he wanted all along.