Despite the LA Lakers being in a slump & under much criticism, head coach Byron Scott still hangs assertive & gets the respect he deserves. & after recent losing streak & LeBron James literally pushing his coach, David Blatt, to the sidelines, Byron Scott, the former gritty playing Laker himself, says this rookie coach needs to earn Cleveland’s respect! Read more below
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.”
