Byron Scott

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Lore & Background

Scott grew up in Inglewood, California, and played at Morningside High School. He played college basketball at Arizona State University, where he was Pac-10 Freshman of the Year in 1980 and First-team All-Pac-10 in 1983. He left after his junior year, entering the 1983 NBA draft. In 2011, his No. 11 was retired by Arizona State. Selected by the San Diego Clippers with the fourth pick of the 1983 NBA draft, Scott was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Norm Nixon. He played for the Lakers, Indiana Pacers, and Vancouver Grizzlies. He was a starter for the Lakers during the Showtime era and won three NBA championships (1985, 1987, 1988). He led the NBA in three-point field goal percentage in 1984–85 and averaged a career-best 21.7 ppg in 1987–88. After his NBA career, he played one season with Panathinaikos in Greece, winning the Greek Basket League championship. He began his coaching career as an assistant with the Sacramento Kings in 1998. He was hired as head coach of the New Jersey Nets on June 27, 2000, leading them to two NBA Finals appearances. He was named NBA Coach of the Year with the New Orleans Hornets in 2008.

In Their Own Story

The arena lights hummed overhead as Scott paced the sideline during a fourth-quarter timeout in the 2008 playoffs. He leaned in close to Chris Paul, his voice low but intense. 'Lock them down,' he whispered, eyes scanning the opponent's formation. The crowd roared in anticipation, unaware of the quiet intensity driving the strategy that would define their season. That year, Scott's defensive system had transformed the Hornets into a 56-win team, earning him Coach of the Year honors.

Reader's Guide

Byron Scott was named NBA Coach of the Year with the New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans) in 2008. The source article does not specify the exact years of his tenure with the Hornets, but it confirms he received the Coach of the Year award in 2008 while with the team.

Did You Know?

• Scott was Pac-10 Freshman of the Year in 1980 and First-team All-Pac-10 in 1983.
• He led the NBA in three-point field goal percentage (.433) in 1984–85.
• Scott hit a game-winning three-point shot for the Pacers in Game 1 of the 1995 playoffs.
• He played one season with Panathinaikos in Greece, winning the Greek Basket League championship.
• Scott was named NBA Coach of the Year with the New Orleans Hornets in 2008.