Los Angeles Lakers name Byron Scott as their new Head Coach

Byron Scott

The Los Angeles Lakers have finally named their new Head Coach after Mike D’Antoni resigned on 30th April. Byron Scott is the new head coach of the purple and gold franchise for the next four years pocketing $17 million dollars in the process including a final year team option in the deal.

Since Phil Jackson quit as the Head Coach of the Lakers in 2011, the franchise made quick hires in the form of Mike Brown and Mike D’Antoni, but decided to take it slow this time and focus more on the draft and free agency first. They interviewed a handful of candidates which included-Mike Dunleavy, Alvin Gentry, Kurt Rambis, Lionel Hollins and ESPN Analyst George Karl.

Three of those candidates took jobs elsewhere before the Lakers made their decision. Lionel Hollins accepted the job of Head Coach for the Brooklyn Nets after Jason Kidd left to coach the Milwaukee Bucks,while Alvin Gentry and Kurt Rambis took up the position of assistant coaches with Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks respectively.

However, Scott held an advantage that none of the other gentlemen did to get the job. Scott had played the first 10 seasons of his playing career and won three championships with the franchise. Hence, he was familiar with the management and ownership. Scott has been good friends with Lakers franchise player Kobe Bryant after being his mentor during the latter’s rookie NBA season 1996-97 with the Lakers, and he is very familiar with the players of the Lakers roster.