Westwego - The clock has run out for Hornets head coach Byron Scott after a disappointing start to the season that has the team sitting near the bottom of the NBA Western Conference.
“I want to thank Byron for the hard work he has put in during his time with the Hornets,” said Hornets Owner George Shinn. “I’ve hired Jeff Bower to take over the coaching reign. He knows this team better than anyone, has the respect of the players and in basketball circles, is regarded as one of the best basketball minds in the business. This is our best opportunity to reach our goals this season.”
Bower, who has served as general manager, scout and assistant coach of the team, will be assisted by former Hornets and UNO coach Tim Floyd. Floyd most recently coached at USC. Scott replaced Floyd as Hornets head coach in 2004.
Floyd was 41-41 in one season with the Hornets, taking the team to the playoffs despite an injury to the team's star forward Jamaal Mashburn. His NBA career record is 93-235.
As we look at our long-term coaching plans, it’s not about who the head coach is, it’s about the role of the head coach to get the team to perform to their capabilities and reaching our potential this season,” said Bower.
After a thrilling season in 2008 where the Hornets almost went to the NBA Finals, Scott hasn’t been able to recapture the magic. The team lost in the first round of the playoffs in 2009 and is off to a 3-6 start this season after being spanked by the Suns Wednesday night.
This season was a contract year for Scott, but talk of an extension has been noticeably absent from the Hornets front office. Questionable coaching decisions, along with a seemingly unhappy star in Chris Paul, were the final undoing for Scott.
While Scott couldn't save his job, he did help save the franchise from leaving New Orleans. As attendance lagged after Hurricane Katrina, the Hornets front office struck a deal with the city and state to leave New Orleans if the numbers didn't pick up.
The team responded by filling up the New Orleans Arena as the team marched into the Western Conference finals in 2008.
Scott was 203-216 since joining the team in 2004. He was named NBA coach of the year for the 2007-2008 season.
