Byron Scott fired.

[Martti.]

Source : http://www.nba.com/2009/news/11/12/scot ... index.html

After just 9 games. The Hornets are 3-6, but it was a bit too early in my view.

What do you think?

[Dee.]

What ??!!
I Can't believe this..
Scott was a good coach,that liked young guys.
That's a bad move.....

[bowdown]

hornets team just sucks apart from chris paul.

[Oznogrd]

odd move as the espn article says...its not like they've been losing an easy schedule

[JaoSming]

there is probably something we all just dont know within the organization and they were just looking for an excuse to get rid of him

[Oznogrd]

Well it is troubling that went from a team that was considered up and coming and almost ready to compete with the big boys to whatever they are currently

[hova-]

It is said that he had problems with CP3 earlier last season. In a german basketball magazine there was a preview article where they kind of said: "If the Hornets can't deliver, Scott will lose his job earlier than everybody can think of right now". And hey, exactly that happened.

[benji]

He was a dead man walking entering the season, especially after the playoffs. Not just Paul, but nobody apparently liked him. The poor start gave them justification to do it.

Scott was a good coach,that liked young guys.

Rawr.

[Kenny]

It's a bit of a joke that a former coach of the year as recently as 06/07 get the boot after 9 games.

[benji]

Not that unusual really. Sam Mitchell, Rick Carlisle, Avery Johnson, Doc Rivers.

Three of the last four COY's have been fired within two seasons. Mike Brown could be next to make it a sweep.

[Null17]

Surprised the hell out of me. But as mentioned, the record is just a convenient excuse to sack him.

[Fresh8]

I don't think Scott is all to blame for the team's troubles. I don't rate them that highly, the team relies on Chris Paul too much. The team isn't that good anyways. David West isn't an All-Star caliber player, he made the All-Star game two seasons ago because he had a great year. If anything, Paul made him an All-Star. Tyson Chandler looked good because Paul made him good. Chris Paul deserves a better team but the New Orleans management have not delivered.

Scott was just a scapegoat for their failure and if anything, the losing was just an excuse to sack him.

[Null17]

I don't think Scott is all to blame for the team's troubles. I don't rate them that highly, the team relies on Chris Paul too much. The team isn't that good anyways. David West isn't an All-Star caliber player, he made the All-Star game two seasons ago because he had a great year. If anything, Paul made him an All-Star. Tyson Chandler looked good because Paul made him good. Chris Paul deserves a better team but the New Orleans management have not delivered.

Scott was just a scapegoat for their failure and if anything, the losing was just an excuse to sack him.

Well, you said it yourself. There really isn't anyone else on the team.

On a sidenote, I always thought Paul and Byron Scott were butt buddies. I guess I just had this notion that Coach of the Year guys were tight with their main player.

[Lamrock]

The Hornets have a pretty shallow roster. Outside of CP3, West and maybe Okafor, the team is dogshit. Worst swingman rotation in the NBA, even worse than Minnesota's. However, the coach of the year award doesn't really seem to be based on coaching prowess. After all, Raptors coach Sam Mitchell won the award in 2007, then proceeded to be outcoached in the following playoff series. Mike Brown might be the worst coach in the NBA, and it wouldn't be surprising if he were next.

[Fresh8]

on a sidenote, I always thought Paul and Byron Scott were butt buddies. I guess I just had this notion that Coach of the Year guys were tight with their main player.

Link

Apparantly so even if it was a year ago.

[Modifly]

I was really surprised when I saw the headlines on NBA.com. The Hornets' slow start also surprised me.

Maybe Okafor killed them?

[Fresh8]

I was really surprised when I saw the headlines on NBA.com. The Hornets' slow start also surprised me.

Maybe Okafor killed them?

Or that they are overrated?

And I would admit that I would have overrated them over past two years.

[Null17]

Mike Brown might be the worst coach in the NBA, and it wouldn't be surprising if he were next.

Possibly. From what I've read, It was Kuester who ran the Cavs offense last year that's why the Cavs aren't doing so well now with Mike Brown being more of a defensive coach (at least that's what I hear).

[Andrew]

As we all know, the blade always falls on the coach when a team isn't living up to expectations. And as benji mentioned, word is that Scott had grown unpopular with the players so without that vote of confidence I'd say it was pretty easy to make him the scapegoat. Still, I don't know why teams bother going through training camp and starting the season with a coach if they're willing to dump them so quickly. If they're on the way out anyway, why not show them the door in June or July and bring someone else in as soon as possible?

[benji]

Possibly. From what I've read, It was Kuester who ran the Cavs offense last year that's why the Cavs aren't doing so well now with Mike Brown being more of a defensive coach (at least that's what I hear).

You didn't need to read it, just had to watch any single Cavs game last year. Every timeout it was Kuester with the clipboard drawing plays that they gathered around.

[Null17]

Possibly. From what I've read, It was Kuester who ran the Cavs offense last year that's why the Cavs aren't doing so well now with Mike Brown being more of a defensive coach (at least that's what I hear).

You didn't need to read it, just had to watch any single Cavs game last year. Every timeout it was Kuester with the clipboard drawing plays that they gathered around.

Most of my NBA coverage has been done through reading internet articles. Haven't been able to watch a lot of games lately. I plan to change that once I get cable in my new place.

[adv1s5]

I say Sam Mitchell got it worse, getting the boot after an 8-9 start.

This has probably been asked numerous times before, and I apologize, but how exactly does a head coach get fired? It seems like Bower just decided enough was enough and made himself the head coach. Does he need some consent of the players and/or staff?

[J@3]

I'd doubt it. They would probably take into consideration how it will affect the players, but the staff/coaches are more dispensable financially. It'd just be a matter of the owner/GM and others discussing what to do about the coach, they might canvas the players for their thoughts and after that either get rid of him or let him stay.

[Andrew]

I'd say a vote of confidence from the players, or lack thereof, does play a role in the decision though. Going back to the late 90s, I recall a bit of controversy with Anfernee Hardaway and Grant Hill in regards to Brian Hill and Doug Collins respectively, the assertion being that they each led movements to get their coaches ousted or at least ensured their sacking by electing not to stand by them. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's a matter of getting the player's consent, but their overall morale and support for the coach (or again, the lack thereof) surely influences the decision and in most cases is probably the final nail in the coffin.

[The X]

Byron Scott would still be there today if the Hornets had done the smart thing & had Sean Marks activated from the start of the season. More than a coincidence, no?