Since Mike D'Antoni resigned from his post in late April, the Lakers have brought in a number of notable names from the coaching carousel. None has created a bigger buzz than former Laker Byron Scott, who went from being a strong candidate to the favorite early in the proceedings:
The Lakers haven't conducted their search through the media, so their wish list isn't entirely known. However, there have been a few hints dropped along the way, all of which only solidify Scott's standing in this race.
L.A. wants someone "with previous NBA coaching experience," Mike Bresnahn of the Los Angeles Times reported.
Scott can check off that box with ease.
He's coached 937 regular-season games over all or part of 13 seasons in his career. He led the then-New Jersey Nets to consecutive NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003, then later captured Coach of the Year honors while with the then-New Orleans Hornets in 2007-08.
Longtime NBA writer Mark Heisler, now with Forbes, said the Lakers brass might hesitate to go "outside the family" after striking out on both D'Antoni and his predecessor Mike Brown.
Scott can cross that one off the list as well.
He spent the majority of his 14-year playing career with the Lakers. He helped steer the "Showtime" squad to three world titles (1985, 1987 and 1988), left as a free agent in 1993 and returned three years later to help pass on knowledge to preps-to-pros prodigy Kobe Bryant.
The veteran took the wide-eyed rookie under his wing, forming a bond that has only grown stronger since, as Bryant told reporters recently:
"I know him extremely well. He knows me extremely well," Bryant said. "I've always been a fan of his."
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Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
