Lakers again talk to Byron Scott about coaching vacancy
The Lakers began another round of coaching interviews Tuesday, talking to Byron Scott for the second time since their search began more than a month ago.
Scott became the first person to get a second meeting and had at least two important things going for him — a longtime friendship with Kobe Bryant and familiarity with Lakers fans dating to his days as a player on the “Showtime” teams.
Scott, 53, was an analyst this season for the Lakers’ broadcast partner, Time Warner Cable SportsNet. He was fired by Cleveland in April 2013 after a 64-166 record in three seasons. He has also coached New Jersey and New Orleans, where he was the NBA’s coach of the year for the 2007-08 season.
Even though the Lakers granted Scott a second interview, they could still add coaches to their list who hadn’t yet interviewed, according to a person familiar with the situation.
The Lakers have met in person with Lionel Hollins, Kurt Rambis, Alvin Gentry and Mike Dunleavy. Rambis, however, will become an assistant coach under Derek Fisher in New York.
There will be at least another week before the Lakers make a decision, perhaps longer. There remains only a 50-50 chance they have a coach in place before the June 26 draft.
They have been without a coach since Mike D’Antoni resigned in April.
Times staff writer Broderick Turner contributed to this report.
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