In L.A., Bill Plaschke notes the "minute Kobe Bryant walked out of Staples Center for the last time, [recently fired head coach Byron] Scott's services were no longer needed, his job essentially ceased to exist." The Lakers "needed someone to guide the team through the turbulent end of the Bryant era, and Scott did exactly that." Plaschke: "You can't feel too bad for Scott because he knew his role when he was hired and he will surely, and deservedly, have a job for life somewhere else in the organization" (L.A. TIMES, 4/25).
SPLIT DECISION: T'Wolves Owner Glen Taylor said of the dynamic between new President of Basketball Operations and coach Tom Thibodeau and GM Scott Layden, "On some decisions, Thibs will have the final say and on some decisions, Scott will have the final say and we have it all written down. The ultimate goals is, it doesn't pay to do something if the other guy is going to block it. I've seen this work and used in business if you can get the right guys. They're friends, they respect each other." He added, "Scott is a strong personality himself, and he wouldn’t come here if he thought he was too much of a second fiddle. As Scott explains it to me, this is how it works in San Antonio. (Spurs President of Basketball & coach Gregg Popovich) doesn’t stand up and say, ‘This is what we’re going to do.’ Scott said they’re very much a consensus group" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 4/23).
SURVIVING THE HOT SEAT? In New Orleans, John Reid cited sources as saying that Pelicans GM Dell Demps is "definitely coming back" for his seventh season. There had been "speculation in recent weeks that Demps was on the hot seat and franchise could move in a different direction." A team source last week "denied a report" that said former Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars "could be hired by the Pelicans" to replace Demps (NOLA.com, 4/23).
BUILDING BUZZ: Hornets Dir of Communications Josh Rosen noted that the team "launched a special ad campaign especially for the playoffs to generate excitement for the games." In Charlotte, Katherine Peralta noted the imagery -- portions of the Hornets logo painted onto players' faces -- has "popped up all over Charlotte" (CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.com, 4/23).
