Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have finally found a head coach.  Byron Scott is expected to accept the Lakers head coaching slot after weeks of speculation.  Jim Buss may have been waiting for the Doc Rivers situation to play out over in Clipper land.  Either way Los Angeles inked one of the front runners to get the job as expected.

At this stage in Kobe Bryant's career you would expect the front office to hire someone familiar with the organization.  Despite the depleted roster, the Lakers aren't approaching this season as a team in rebuild mode.  Kobe signed a two-year extension through the 2016 season.  By that time Kobe wants a sixth championship ring.

Scott was a mentor to Kobe before retiring and beginning his coaching career.  Kobe's new coach is only 18 years his elder.  This hire is completely different from the one the Cleveland Cavaliers just pulled off.  David Blatt has no coaching experience in the NBA.  Scott brings 13 years of experience to the Lakers sideline.

Scott was a three time NBA Champion with the Lakers alongside Magic Johnson in the 80's.  He filled the lanes and finished around the basket with extreme ferocity.  Scott's play is one of the reasons the Showtime Lakers are one of the most accomplished teams in NBA history.  He averaged 14.1 points and 2.5 assist per game during his 15 year career.

Despite a losing record as a head coach,  Scott has experienced success on the NBA level.  He coached the New Jersey Nets to back-to-back NBA Finals appearences in 2002 and 2003.  In 2008 Scott led the New Orleans Hornets to a Southwest division crown.  The Hornets finished second overall in the Western Conference with a 56-26 record.  Scott was awarded the NBA Coach of The Year award for his efforts.  The following year he guided the Hornets to a 49-33 mark.  Scott has coached some young teams during his time as an NBA coach.

Scott has been known to get into it with his players. He was fired by the Nets in 2004 due to a dispute with Jason Kidd.  He and Chris Paul were not the best of friends during his tenure with the Hornets. Kobe and Scott must stay on the same page to make this hire a success.