Former Los Angeles Lakers Byron Scott has been officially named head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Scott, 49, a former member of the Magic Johnson era Showtime teams that accumulated five NBA Titles in the 1980’s made his decision Thursday morning, amid rumors that current Lakers Assistant Coach Brian Shaw was the frontrunner for the vacant position. But Shaw abruptly withdrew his name from consideration as many speculated that Scott would automatically became the Cavaliers next top choice. Cleveland officials have said throughout that Scott was always their prime candidate but that Shaw had interviewed well which made their decision all the more difficult. Negotiations with Scott’s agent began in earnest Wednesday with Shaw formally withdrawing later that evening. Shaw, 44, has been serving as one of Phil Jackson’s prized assistants since 2004. His role with the team this season became even more prominent with the departure of long-time Assistant Coach Kurt Rambis (Minnesota Timberwolves). With the announcement of Phil Jackson’s return for one more season, it is widely assumed that Brian Shaw will inherit the head coaching duties at the conclusion of the upcoming season. Should the Lakers win the championship again next season, it would mark the fourth time Jackson has led a team to three-consecutive titles. Jackson accomplished the feat twice with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls and once with the Shaq/Kobe Lakers of the early 2000s.
dEDGE Post Scriptum
The streamers have all fallen to earth, the confetti swept aside, and the accolades and proclamations distributed and doled out. Yet, the Los Angeles Lakers remain permanently fixed in the news. Whether it’s the looming free agency market or the breaking news that Phil Jackson is leaning towards retirement, we cannot get enough of our Lakers. We want instant access to the latest Laker news be it by Twitter, iChat or any number of other social media platforms. But the news will surely begin to slow as the long summer nights give way to Vin Scully and the Boys in Blue. But even though this chapter is officially over, we look forward to what appears to be an already busy off-season. In a society enamored with instant gratification, take it from me, “enjoy this one.” Do as Kobe does and take some time off. Follow Pau’s and Drew’s footsteps and get some rest and relaxation. The training grind will surely come soon, so take the time to smell the roses before they all disappear. Ron-Ron is making the most of it now, very aware of the hard regimen that will surely follow in the days and weeks to come.
Phil Jackson will make up his mind when he is good and ready, no sooner. To speculate what he will do is just that, pure speculation. There’s no telling what PJ will do and based on his past history, there’s no way of determining his intentions until he is good and ready. We’ve all been down this road before, and we know all too well that he can suddenly and instantly blurt out his decision. Think about what Jeanie Buss goes through on a daily basis. Uhhhm, Phil-honey, do you think you can give my daddy an idea of your intentions? I mean, no pressure or anything like that, but he would like to know if you are playing me like one of his poker hands… Phil plays by his own set of rules, or in other words, he makes them up as he goes along. To press him for an answer is to only further push him away. We know this, Jeanie knows this, and the Lakers know this.
Thank you Jordan Farmar. We wish you well. Many have ventured out in search of greener pastures, only to find that what they had left behind was never to be replaced. Need to make a name for yourself? Feel under-appreciated? Looking to be the Man? Ask Spencer Haywood, Billy Thompson, Elden Campbell, Doug Christie, Nick Van Exel, Cedric Ceballos, Ruben Patterson, Tyronn Lue, Glen Rice, Isaiah Rider, Kareem Rush, Smush Parker or Trevor Ariza for some advice. Shannon Brown, take note and don’t add your name to this list. Count your blessings, bide your time, improve your game, and follow in the footsteps of these former sidekicks: Michael Cooper, Kurt Rambis, Mike McGee, Mitch Kupchak, AC Green, Ronnie Lester, Robert Horry, Rick Fox, Ron Harper and Brian Shaw.
Thank you Derek Fisher. And we expect you to be back. Sure, he’s lost some speed, he can’t put it all together through an entire season, but his value to this team goes beyond numbers and stats. Big-Shot-Bob, make room for Fish-the-Finisher, Mr. .04, and The Fish that saved Phil. Start him or bring him off the bench, it really doesn’t matter as long as D-Fish is back wearing the purple and gold. But do get him some help so that he’ll be ready when it matters most. Raja Bell’s name has recently been rumored and amongst his staunchest supporters is none other than Kobe Bryant himself. Bell, 33-yrs. old and coming off surgery on his left wrist in which he missed practically the entire ‘09-’10 season, is a premiere defender and corner 3-point threat. The 10-year veteran could provide just the type of player that Phil Jackson and Mitch Kupchak covet. And the defensive rotations would be highly interesting to say the least, allowing the Lakers a multitude of options to throw at any given team.
This Summer may prove to be a highly busy and interesting one, considering all of the items on the Lakers checklist that need to be addressed. One thing for certain, change will be forthcoming. And while we whittle away the days until after July 1st and beyond, take the time to enjoy this one. Savor the flavor and let it all soak in. Pour yourself a glass, because you’ve earned it. Recline your chair, put your feet up and crack a smile. Pat yourself on the back and go ahead and puff out your chest a little, because it doesn’t get any better than this. And, in case you missed it while you were out celebrating, the Lakers were on Jimmy Kimmel Live and it’s a must-see. Not quite Ron-Ron in his post-game interview, but just as fun nonetheless.
Lakers on Jimmy Kimmel Live (part 3)
Lakers on Jimmy Kimmel Live (part 4)
Lakers on Jimmy Kimmel Live (part 5)
dEDGE Post Scriptum
This is the one. Handicapped parking signs for Paul Pierce. Artest with the MMA takedown. Pierce running away like a little biyaaatch. What do all of these fouls accomplish? Artest pays $18k for courtside seats, then gives then away to a pair of fans. Jerry West, looking extremely nervous as usual while watching the game. Gasoftnomore. Sheed, a time-bomb ticking down to a technical. Where’s Lamar? KG looking pathetic on the tip-in attempt. Glen Davis almost gets knocked out again. Chris Rock talking to Kobe’s hand. A beat-down on the boards, in the paint and off second chance points. Free tacos. 47-0. Laker Girls.
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All together now. Foul trouble for everyone tonight. Drew and Pau swatting away shots like flies. Jesus has cometh. Rondo with the windshield wiper move, Bynum as the bug on the glass. Glen Davis; rebound, miss, rebound, swatted, rebound, swatted again. Eight 3-pointers and a new NBA Finals record. Where’s Lamar? Too much reality, not enough passion. Beat by the Big 3 + 1 consisting of Allen, Rondo, Perkins + Davis. No rebounds, no rings. Jon Barry is a chip off the old block, he’s an ass just like his old man. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton honoring John Wooden was more important than the game itself. “Winning takes talent, to repeat takes character.”
Spero Dedes, here today, gone to the NFL, back again today. Bob Cousy, John Havlicek, Casey Jones. Ray Allen gets hit by a truck with the license plate that reads Artest. Hello LO! Nice bank shot. Kobe with the steal and the save, Bynum with the lay-in + one. Kobe pumping his fist. Where’s Paul Pierce? Oh, he’s over there sitting on the bench. Nice stat line for Jesus, 0-13. Oh no, he’s limping again… Artest in his Rock Star pose. Instant replay without coaches throwing out the hankies. Fisher driving around Rondo. Fisher with the pull-up. Fisher drains the bank shot. D-Fish clobbered by three Celtics on the drive, but not before making the layup and one. “Nothing means more to me than helping my team win.” Celtics co-owner confronting David Stern brings back memories of classy Red Auerbach chasing Earl Strom in 1987.
Was it just me or was Anita Baker lit?
Big Baby needs a big bib…
The Shrek and Donkey Show…
Was it just me or was Anita Baker lit? The refs will not be a factor… will not be a factor… will not be a factor. Sorry Sheed, the refs missed that one. Can someone stuff a towel down Nate’s big mouth? Kobe, showing Ray Allen how it’s done from long-range. Glen Davis getting into Lamar’s face. Bynum limps to the locker room and doesn’t make it back after halftime. Laker fans poised for the team to go on a run. Still waiting after three periods… Davis, Robinson, Tony Allen and Sheed outplaying the Laker starters in the 4th. KG subbing in, then not, then again, then not again. Big Baby needs a big bib. Ouch, that last turnover hurt. We didn’t lose, we gave it to them. The Shrek and Donkey Show. Bynum, a question mark for Game 5. Lamar Odom, a question mark the entire series.
Kobe’s mom sitting directly behind the Boston bench. Purple and gold representation in the stands. Bynum giving it a go, but limping along. Phil answers Doris Burke’s questions unlike Craig Sager. Why is Pau starting out on the perimeter? Kendrick Perkins looks like Bubba from Forest Gump. I H8 N8. Artest with the hard foul on KG. Rondo with the finger push that sends Ron-Ron flying. Kobe playing 1-on-5 all game long. There’s no Kobe-stopper in this one. Missed free throws. Missed opportunities. More missed free throws. I repeat, the ball did not hit the rim. Pierce with the Tom Brady pass. Rondo with the “see-ya” reverse for the win. Heads down, asses up because this one stank. Backs against the wall. Do-or-die. Back to LA for two straight.
Christina Aguilera’s got pipes. Perkins goes down for the count. Jordan with the head-first dive and tap to Kobe. The Machine is back. Farmar stares down KG after the facial dunk. Spike Lee enjoyed that one so much, he’s dancing. Shannon Brown elevating to another level on the throw down. Out of the timeout, into outer space with the alley-oop slam. “What can Brown do for you?” The First Lady is in the house, or so we hear. I bet there’s a sniper in the rafters with his crosshairs focused on Vic the Brick. Rondo running into Artest’s elbow. Bench Mob, 24-0 through three. Jack signaling the choke sign to the Boston bench. See you Thursday.
The Road to the Rafters. It’s all or nothing, baby. There’s no tomorrow. It’s for all the marbles. Leave it all out on the court. It’s now or never. Christina Aguilera, our new good luck charm, and hotter. The refs are letting them play and this favors the Celtics. The Lakers are lacking any championship poise. Artest is carrying the Lakers offense and defense. Missed free throws… Rebounds are keeping us in the game. D-Fish to the rescue again. The Lakers finally take the lead on Kobe’s free throws. Boston is gagging on their own fist. Pau with the double-pump bucket. Artest with the game sealer three. Jubilation. Celebration. Redemption. This one is better than all the rest. “The Black Mamba passed me the ball, he never passes me the ball. He passed me the ball…” A ring for Ron-Ron and another for Queensbridge.
Will Ferrell. Charlize Theron. Adam Sandler. Chris Rock. David Spade. Steven Spielberg. Kourtney Kardashian. Snoop. David Duchovny. Hilary Swank. Kevin James. Sylvester Stallone. Alison Sweeney. Chris Tucker. Adam Levine. Ice Cube. Mark Cuban. Jason Bateman. Terrell Owens. Stacy Keibler. Kim Kardashian. Rob Lowe. Kevin Connolly. Justin Timberlake. Ray Romano. Chris Bosh. Kevin Love. Kurt Rambis. Rick Fox. Eliza Dushku. Akon. Kenny G. Will.I.Am. Josh Brolin. Diane Lane. Diddy. Tom Arnold. Brendan Fraser. Karissa Shannon. Spike Lee. Michelle Obama. Laura Dern. Ellen Pompeo. Fergie. Timbaland. Usher. Courtney Cox-Arquette. Ryan Seacrest. George Lopez. Jake Gyllenhall. Leonardo DiCaprio. David Arquette. Penny Marshall. Anthony Kiedis. Dustin Hoffman. Andy Garcia. Dyan Cannon. Jack Nicholson.
