Jan 5, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach
Byron Scottsignals to his team during the first quarter of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
5. Byron Scott
If only Byron Scott was as good as coaching as he was at playing. Scott played eleven seasons for the Lakers, and won three titles (85′, 87′, 88′). Scott quickly became one of the best shooters in the league, and was one of the running mates with Magic Johnson on the fast break.
Scott did not shoot a lot of three-pointers, but was money from mid-range, and had tremendous athletic abilities. Scott did however lead in the league in three point percentage at 43.3% in the 1985 season. Scott finished 4th on the all time Laker list in steals, and 9th in scoring. Despite having three hall of famers on the team, Scott actually led the team in scoring in the 1987-88 season, at 21.7 points per game. Scott averaged 15.1 points per game as a Laker, and 1.2 steals.
Scott’s impact as a player still lives on today, as he mentored the next Lakers star Kobe Bryant in Bryant’s rookie year.
Next: Gail Goodrich