Rejoice! Byron Scott is the new Lakers head coach. Anybody excited?
Well, at least get used to it. Ramona Shelburne of ESPN confirmed Scott has signed with a team that's dying to make a comeback.
Lakers deal with Byron Scott will be four years, $17 million
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 27, 2014
The Lakers will hold a team option on the fourth-year of the deal with Byron Scott
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 27, 2014
For whatever reason, the Lakers have favored coaches with a past record of success, but not a recent one. Mike D'Antoni ran the fearsome "Seven Seconds or Less" offense with the Suns and joined the Lakers after shaky years with the Knicks and bumping heads with Carmelo Anthony. Mike Brown had LeBron James leading a miracle run to the Finals in 2006-07, but he got the boot the same offseason James originally left because they had no rings. Brown didn't last too long with the Lakers.
Scott hasn't been doing so hot after his early '00s success with the Nets. He was cursed with the Cavaliers, and in his first season in 2010-11, he watched the team lose an NBA record 26 straight games. Maybe having Kobe Bryant and Julius Randle on his side is just what Scott needs. But has he forgotten the 57–112 beatdown the Lakers gave him? He might get a little internal revenge going here.
[via Ramona Shelburne]