Bourbon Street Ball

When a talented team is under performing who is to blame, the coach or the players?

The players are paid the big bucks and are expected to execute. The coach is supposed to motivate and rally the troops in a time of crisis.

But, when things go wrong it’s much easier to fire one person versus an entire team of misfits. Byron Scott can now just be referred to as the fall guy. He makes the switch from face to heel quicker then Hulk Hogan. Scott made two NBA finals apperances with Jason Kidd at the helm. But, the Nets underperformed the following season and Scott was quickly let go. Never publically discussed was the rift between Kidd and Scott. It seemed as though Kidd was one of the main culprits in Scott’s release.

In 2005 Scott took over as head coach of the New Orleans/Oklahoma City/New Orleans Hornets. Scott struck the point guard lottery once as he inherited Chris Paul. The Hornets flourished in 07/08 by winning 58 games but exited the playoffs in the second round. Scott was named coach of the year in 07/08.

The potential of the Hornets seemed sky high at this point. Young stars such as CP3, the under-rated David West and expert dunker Tyson Chandler made them easy favorites in the West.. Paul and West have been multiple time all-stars but the team never seemed to realize its potential. Was there another point guard and Scott problem?

Chris Paul had seemingly reached his boiling point last week. Rajon Rando taunted him by telling him he would never win a ring. The usually mild mannered Paul went after Rondo after the game but was blocked from entering the Celtic locker room. The Hornets were off to a 3-6 start and something just didn’t seem right. On Wednesday the Hornets fired Scott, who once again was deemed the scapegoat.

The Nets have struggled since they fired Scott and replaced him with their former towel boy coach. The Hornets success now rests firmly on the shoulders of Chris Paul. The Olypmic champion has shown he can lead a winning team, but the Hornets have yet to put it all together…