11/05/24
November 13, 2009
New Orleans Hornets Fire Coach Byron Scott: After just nine games, the New Orleans Hornets have fired head coach Byron Scott, a move that caught star player Chris Paul off guard because he wasn't consulted beforehand. Scott's team suffered several ugly double-digit losses this year and were beaten by the winless New York Knicks. His record with the team was 203-216. General manager Jeff Bower, who has never been a head coach, takes over the job.
posted by rcade to basketball at 07:11 AM - 7 comments
What a bonehead move. This is Bower's team, the guys HE put together. And he's no more qualified to coach them then Pink Floyd, the band. Hopefully Scott won't be unemployed long. Nice not letting CP in on it either. Stuff he won't forget once he's a free agent. How in the world does Tim Floyd keep getting coaching jobs?
posted by eccsport78 at 09:37 AM on November 13, 2009
It's unfair that Scott's taken the heat for a lot of lousy moves by Bower; Mo Pete, Peja and James Posey were all not worth the contracts they were given, and outside of drafting Chris Paul (a no-brainer), his draft record is suspect. Hilton Armstrong and Julian Wright haven't shown that they're worth mid-first round selections.
I think when Chris Paul walks in a couple of years, there'll be a lot of eyes on this move as to why he did it.
posted by dfleming at 10:17 AM on November 13, 2009
Maybe the promise of signing Avery Johnson this off-season would appease Paul? It would make a lot sense, not the least because Avery is a proud son of New Orleans.
posted by Ufez Jones at 01:05 PM on November 13, 2009
I'm a huge Byron Scott fan. I don't think he'll be unemployed long. As Pat Riley used to say, "Shoot 'em up and sleep in the streets, B!"
posted by Spitztengle at 02:46 PM on November 13, 2009
I don't think this is a bad firing. The Hornets have been awful this year and disapointing last year and Scott was unwilling to change enough to fix it, according to Bower.
For instance, why are the Hornets 20th in the league in pace when they have the most dynamic point guard in the league? Get up and down the court and generate some easier shots. You have Chris Paul, this may work. Why aren't the rookies Collison and Marcus Thornton getting any burn if this team is doing so poorly? This roster is far from perfect but when you have Chris Paul and a good frontcourt why couldn't Scott find a way to win?
I don't think Paul will leave because of this. Yeah, they were friends, it sucks, I get it. Paul hasn't looked particularly happy thus far this year losing with Scott at the helm. If Bower and the Hornets find a way to win a bunch a games that's probably more important to Paul than having a buddy coach around.
posted by tron7 at 03:24 PM on November 13, 2009
I don't think this is a bad firing.
9 games into the season? He should've been given a little bit more time.
Scott was unwilling to change enough to fix it
Scott wanted change last year and what happened? They tried their best to get rid of Tyson Chandler last year in a trade with Oklahoma but he failed the physical.
I'm not so sure that this was the right move as of yet but the season is still young so let's just give it some time.
posted by BornIcon at 10:16 AM on November 16, 2009
And this leaves the door open to now put Tim "Pink" Floyd as the coach f they choose to..WTF?!!?