http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1085036120309010.xml Rep getting to know Shinn, New Orleans Thursday, May 20, 2004 By John Reid and Jimmy Smith par Staff writers After meeting with Hornets officials for two days this week about the vacant head coaching job, Byron Scott sent his agent, Brian McInery, for further talks with the team Wednesday. "I'm here to get a feel from talking to them," McInery said. "When you're in California you don't really know Mr. (George) Shinn or Mr. (Bob) Bass. Now we feel we can talk. "I've been with Byron for 20 years, and we had our kids grow up together. So we're talking about major family decisions. I've never been to New Orleans before, so we (he and Scott) can look at the same thing." Scott said through his agent Tuesday, before departing New Orleans, that he definitely was interested in the job. The Hornets started the coaching search after Tim Floyd was fired May 7 after one season, in which the Hornets failed to advance beyond the first round of the playoffs. Last week Shinn, the Hornets majority owner, identified Scott as one of the top candidates. But despite Scott's apparent interest, a league source said the team will move forward with its plans to interview former NBA coaches Mike Fratello, Brian Hill, George Karl and former Los Angeles Lakers player Michael Cooper, who is coaching the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA, before making a decision on whom to hire. The league source said Wednesday if Minnesota advances to the Western Conference Finals, Fratello could swing by New Orleans on his way to Minneapolis before Friday's Game 1 of the series. If that doesn't happen, the Hornets likely would make a trip to meet with Fratello at an undetermined location. Fratello is analyst with TNT, which is televising the Western Conference Finals. McInery met with Bass, the Hornets retiring executive vice president of basketball operations and general manager, and assistant general manager Allan Bristow on Wednesday afternoon at the Alario Center in Westwego. While leaving the facility, McInery said he would be in New Orleans for a couple of days. A team spokesman said Shinn was sick Wednesday. But he likely is to meet with McInery today. Both Bass and Bristow declined to comment Wednesday about their meeting with McInery. Scott still could pursue other NBA coaching jobs when they come open. Scott led the New Jersey Nets to two consecutive berths in the NBA Finals and had a 149-139 record in 3 ½ seasons before he was fired in January. Scott was the first candidate to be interviewed Monday. Talks lasted nearly two hours with Shinn, Bass, Bristow and chief operating officer Jack Capella. Scott also met with point guard Baron Davis. "They really got to know him better," McInery said. . . . . . . . John Reid can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3405. Jimmy Smith can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3814. --

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