Los Angeles Lakers fire coach Byron Scott after two poor seasons
By Paul Vinnell
Last Updated: 25/04/16 2:09pm
Coach Byron Scott has been fired by the Los Angeles Lakers after the worst two seasons in their history.
Los Angeles finished with the NBA's second-worst record at 17-65 this season, losing four more games than in their previous franchise-worst season in 2014-15.
"We would like to thank Byron for his hard work, dedication and loyalty over the last two years but have decided it is in the best interest of the organisation to make a change at this time," general manager Mitch Kupchak.
Scott won three NBA titles as the shooting guard for the Showtime Lakers of the 1980s, playing alongside Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy on some of the greatest teams in league history.
Scott admitted last week that he expected to leave the team.
"This is my dream job, and obviously you want the opportunity to turn it all around," he said. "But I understand the business of basketball, and it's all about wins and losses."
Scott received praise from Kupchak last week for his handling of the final months of Kobe Bryant's career.
Bryant was Scott's team-mate during his rookie season with the Lakers 20 years ago. Bryant scored 60 points in his final game April 13, a win over Utah.
But the Lakers struggled to play competent defence or to put together coherent game plans over the past two seasons with a roster of youngsters and veterans.
The Lakers are now looking for their fifth head coach since Phil Jackson left in 2011. Mike Brown and Mike D'Antoni were fired before Scott, with interim coach Bernie Bickerstaff also getting a short run.
