Byron Scott has many issues as the coach of the floundering L.A. Lakers, getting respect around the league is not one of them.
Scott was a gritty championship player for the same franchise he now coaches. He’s also been a head coach on more than one occasion.
Scott told USA Today that he feels for Blatt, but hinted at the fact that the rookie head coach must earn their respect.
For all of his accomplishments in the international game — a Euroleague championship last year with Maccabi Tel Aviv, a bronze medal with the Russian team at the London Olympics in 2012, and a 2007 Eurobasket title with Russia chief among them in his 20 years overseas — the cold truth about the NBA is that credibility is almost exclusively gained through achievements that took place within the league itself.
“It’s tough,” Scott told USA TODAY Sports about Blatt’s situation after Lakers practice on Wednesday afternoon. “Players in this league tend to respect guys that they’ve seen who have accomplished things in this league, so that makes it a little bit more easier for myself, who has played. But I’ve also coached on this level as well. So yeah, a first-year coach like David, it’s going to be tough. Even though you have probably the best player in the NBA on your team (LeBron James) and two other guys (Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love) who are pretty damned good too, you still have a big-time challenge.”