Lakers Sign Byron Scott as Head Coach

The Lakers signed Byron Scott to a 4-year, $17 million dollar deal.

The number of years is significant.  It gives Byron Scott a chance to not only rebuild with the roster during Kobe Bryant‘s remaining two years on his contract, but also build upon the roster when cap space opens up in 2015 and 2016 for the Laker roster.  Other coaches that have been picked up this off-season are Steve Kerr with a five-year deal and Derek Fisher to a five-year deal.

Byron Scott has been a head coach since 2000 and reached the Finals twice in his first three years as a head coach.  He had Jason Kidd as a captain and facilitator for the New Jersey Nets in the early 2000’s.  He brought around change to the New Orleans Hornets with Chris Paul at the helm as well, bringing them to the second round of the playoffs.  He spent the 2010 – 2012 seasons with Cleveland, a complete rebuilding project when LeBron James left the team.

Byron Scott will be looking to redeem himself as a mentor and a coach to the Laker roster.  He brings three championship rings as a Laker player in 1985, 1987, and 1988.  He was among the top 10 3-point shooters for a five-year stint between 1984 through 1989 seasons.

This will be the first time since the beginning of his coaching career, where he has a mix of championship veteran players and high-upside rookie players that require development.  He has a tendency to rely on the leadership of the point guard to facilitate what happens on the basketball floor offensively.  This time, he’ll have Steve Nash, one of the NBA’s elite point guards.  While Steve Nash isn’t as healthy as he used to be, chances are, Nash will be mentoring Jeremy Lin as the facilitator on the floor.

Jeremy Lin plays a high IQ basketball game and can translate Nash’s mentorship onto the floor very well.  He also has his former pupil Kobe Bryant on the floor for leadership.