Byron Scott is one confident dude. He should be, based on his success in the NBA as a player and coach.
That confidence was on full display Thursday as he lobbied for the Lakers' coaching job and claimed he could convince Kobe Bryant to adjust his game to fit Scott's philosophy.
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"I am the perfect guy for this job. I’ve got a great relationship with Kobe. I know the team, know the roster, watched them all season long. And I just think it would be a great fit," he said in an interview with ESPN LA 710 (per ESPNLosAngeles.com).
Scott then delivered his best "I can change him" take on Kobe:
"Obviously, if I get the job, the first conversation with Kobe. We have to talk about the future of the Los Angeles Lakers. We have to also talk about the type of direction we’re going to be taking and also talk about the type of game that he’s going to be playing, because he’s going to have to change his game a little bit, and I think he knows that. We’ve got to sit down and talk about the minutes and things like that. We’ve just got to come to an agreement. But he knows me. I’m an old-school type guy, old-school type guy. And I want him to understand that, and I think he does understand that.
"We communicate during the summer by text, and every now and then, I’ll run into him somewhere and we’ll talk a little bit more about basketball. But I think the biggest thing is, No. 1, I respect the hell out of Kobe, and I think he respects me. That’s the first hurdle you’ve got to get past, and then other things, we’ll solve all those little issues."
Strong words from a guy who hasn't gotten the job, Lakers legend or not.
As for Scott's last sentence: Yeah, compared to convincing Kobe to play a different way, every other issue is little.
