Byron Scott

Byron Scott
Erik Drost · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Byron Scott
Birth date	February 28, 1961
Birth place	McKeesport, Pennsylvania, United States
Height	6 ft 5 in
Weight	185 lb
College	Arizona State University (1979–1983)
Draft year	1983
Draft team	San Diego Clippers
Career start	1983
Career end	1997
Career position	Shooting guard
Career number	4, 4
Coach start	2004
Coach end	2020
Teams	* San Diego Clippers / Los Angeles Clippers (1983–1986) * Los Angeles Lakers (1987–1993) * Indiana Pacers (1993–1996) * Los Angeles Lakers (1996–1997)
Coaching teams	* New Jersey Nets (assistant, 2000–2004) * New Orleans Hornets (head coach, 2004–2009) * New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets (head coach, 2014–2016) * Los Angeles Lakers (head coach, 2016–2017) * Cleveland Cavaliers (assistant, 2019–2020)

Byron Scott Byron Scott is an American former professional basketball player and coach known for his role as a three-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers during the 1980s. As a six-foot-five shooting guard, he combined perimeter shooting, defensive tenacity, and playoff poise to contribute to “Showtime” teams alongside stars like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. After retiring as a player he transitioned to coaching and broadcasting, holding head-coaching posts with franchises such as the New Orleans Hornets and Los Angeles Lakers and later working as an assistant with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Early life and college career

Born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, Scott attended McKeesport Area High School where he emerged as a standout alongside contemporaries from the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association. Recruited to Arizona State University, he played for the Sun Devils under coach Ned Wulk, earning All-Pac-10 Conference recognition and becoming one of the top collegiate scorers in school history. His collegiate success led to selection in the 1983 NBA draft, joining a class that included Hakeem Olajuwon, Michael Jordan, and Charles Barkley.

NBA playing career

Selected fourth overall by the San Diego Clippers in 1983, Scott quickly established himself as a perimeter threat with range and off-ball movement during the franchise's move to Los Angeles Clippers. Traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in the mid-1980s, he became the starting shooting guard on teams that reached multiple NBA Finals and won championships in 1985, 1987, and 1988. Playing alongside Hall of Famers Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, and coached by Pat Riley, Scott delivered key playoff performances, including crucial three-point shooting and late-game execution against rivals such as the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons. After his prime with the Lakers, he signed with the Indiana Pacers where he paired with players like Reggie Miller during deep Eastern Conference playoff runs, later returning to the Lakers for a final season before retiring in 1997. Over his career he accumulated notable scoring totals, postseason minutes, and a reputation as a veteran presence.

Coaching career

Following a period in broadcasting, Scott entered coaching as an assistant with the New Jersey Nets under head coach Byron Scott (assistant) and later became head coach of the New Orleans Hornets in 2004. In New Orleans he worked with talents such as Chris Paul, guiding the franchise to multiple playoff berths and earning recognition for player development and defensive emphasis. After the Hornets, Scott served as head coach of the rebranded New Jersey Nets and later the Brooklyn Nets, where he navigated roster transitions featuring players like Deron Williams and Brook Lopez. Hired as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2016, he inherited a roster spotlighted by D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle during a rebuilding phase; his tenure included the selection of Lonzo Ball in the 2017 NBA Draft but ended after one season. Scott later joined the Cleveland Cavaliers staff as an assistant coach during the 2019–2020 season, contributing to coaching plans around players such as LeBron James and Kevin Love.

Broadcasting and media work

Between coaching assignments Scott worked extensively in broadcasting, serving as an analyst for networks covering TNT telecasts and regional coverage. He provided game analysis, player evaluation, and color commentary, appearing on studio shows and telecasts that covered marquee matchups involving teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, and Chicago Bulls. His media roles connected him with personalities and productions across ESPN, Fox Sports Net, and regional sports networks, enhancing his public profile and maintaining ties to the league during intervals away from coaching.

Personal life

Scott's personal life has included residences in Los Angeles, California and ties to communities in Indiana and Louisiana through his playing and coaching careers. He has participated in charitable initiatives, alumni events associated with the Los Angeles Lakers and Arizona State University, and NBA community programs connected to the NBA Cares platform. Scott's family life and off-court endeavors have occasionally been covered in regional media during his stints with franchises such as the New Orleans Hornets and Brooklyn Nets.

Legacy and honors

Recognized as a key contributor to the Lakers' 1980s dynasty, Scott's legacy includes three NBA championship rings and induction into various team and alumni halls of fame. His career is often cited alongside contemporaries like Michael Cooper and Kenny Smith for perimeter play during the Showtime era. Honors include school-specific accolades from Arizona State University and franchise acknowledgments from the Los Angeles Lakers; his coaching career added recognition for developing young guards and navigating franchise rebuilds. Scott remains a prominent figure in discussions of 1980s NBA history and the evolution of the shooting guard role during the modern era.

Category:1961 births Category:Living people Category:American basketball coaches Category:Los Angeles Lakers players Category:Indiana Pacers players