Byron Scott has not gotten over the way the Lakers fired him and his new book “Slam Dunk Success: Leading From Every Position on Life’s Court,” doesn’t pull any punches on his former Lakers colleagues. In his book, Scott makes the following claims about the Lakers front office:
Scott said he “felt betrayed, lied to and deceived” by former Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak and former executive Jim Buss. Though he had only two guaranteed years on his four-year contract, Scott contends that Kupchak and Jim Buss previously promised him they would exercise the team option for his third year. Scott also believes the Lakers used him to manage Bryant during his final seasons and farewell tour before making the coach a scapegoat for the franchise’s struggles.
“If I asked him to do certain things, Kobe would do it because of his respect for me,” said Scott, who mentored Bryant during his rookie season in 1996-97. “Basically, you just wanted me there to help you guys get through the next two years, so Kobe doesn’t go crazy on you guys. I would be the one that can handle it. They know me. I’m not going to back down. I’m not going to be intimidated by anybody.”
Scott’s tough style of coaching brought success with the Nets, but his young Lakers roster didn’t respond to Scott’s old school approach. However, Scott believes that Magic Johnson will choose the right players for Luke Walton to help restore the winning tradition.