Yesterday was a "feel-good day for the Lakers," as they introduced new coach Byron Scott, who was "blunt and to the point but also somehow refreshing," according to Mike Bresnahan of the L.A. TIMES. Scott, who played 11 seasons with the Lakers, provided a "touch with yesteryear the franchise needed, even if it lasted only a short time." The coaching search "took almost three months -- Mike D'Antoni resigned April 30 and Scott officially was hired Monday." Meanwhile, Scott found "no reason to pump up a Clippers-Lakers rivalry." Scott: "I don't think L.A. has gone to the Clippers. This is still a Lakers town. Period." He added, "We have two teams now, one that has about 17 banners and one that doesn't have any yet, but the rivalry is getting pretty good. But this is still a Laker town" (L.A. TIMES, 7/30). In L.A., Helene Elliott notes Basketball HOFers and former Lakers Jamaal Wilkes, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson "stood on the podium behind Scott ... in a show of support they said was more than symbolic." Johnson said that he had been "working out with Scott the last few months and warned him how huge a task Scott would face if he got the job" (L.A. TIMES, 7/30). Scott said of his conversations with Lakers Exec VP/Player Personnel Jim Buss and Exec VP/Business Operations Jeanie Buss, "As I told Jim and Jeanie, I'm going to do everything in my power to bring this team back to where it should be. This organization is about championships. Period." In L.A., Jill Painter notes Scott "wants to do the Buss family proud." Scott "cares deeply about this franchise," while neither former coaches Mike Brown or D'Antoni "had that" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 7/30).
GREAT SCOTT! The L.A. TIMES' Bresnahan writes hiring a former Lakers player "is a sensible move for the franchise from a PR standpoint." It is "hard to imagine any 'Fire Byron' chants from the upper levels of Staples Center." There also will be "no more 'We Want Phil!' shouts from dissatisfied fans." A coach with three championships as a Lakers player should "buy some time for a franchise that sorely needs it" (L.A. TIMES, 7/30). In N.Y., Billy Witz writes the Lakers "are at a crossroads," as five of late Owner Jerry Buss’ children are "sorting out the complicated dynamics of running the franchise after his death." Jim Buss said, "With Mike Brown and D’Antoni, there was a disconnect from the Laker organization that I didn’t realize existed. There was a learning curve. If I had a fault as far as that is concerned, I would say it was learning what having the connection with the Lakers means." Johnson said, "We need the magic that Dr. Buss brought. ... Dr. Buss could talk somebody into doing anything." He added, "We have to figure out with this organization who can set the table and who can close. That's what we need right now" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/30).
L.A. STORY: In N.Y, Scott Cacciola writes the Clippers and Lakers are "on different trajectories with very distinct strategies." The Clippers are "looking toward the future as they begin shedding the trash-bin-fire history that was the Sterling era; the Lakers are trying to keep focused on the rearview mirror by dipping into their once-glorious past." Johnson yesterday declared that L.A. "was still a Lakers town." But he "had to acknowledge" that prospective Clippers Owner Steve Ballmer "posed a threat to the Lakers' hegemony." Johnson: "You're talking about a guy who wants to win, who loves basketball. He's going to do everything he can to put them in a championship situation because he wants to win so bad" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/30).
