http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1091698697274090.xml Scott fills last spot on his staff Cleamons gets nod, used to winning Thursday, August 05, 2004 By John Reid Staff writer Hornets coach Byron Scott filled the final vacancy on his staff by hiring former Los Angeles Lakers assistant Jim Cleamons on Wednesday. Cleamons had spent the past five seasons with the Lakers, who won three consecutive NBA championships from 2000 to 2002. Cleamons could not be reached for comment. Cleamons began his coaching career in 1989 with the Chicago Bulls, serving as an assistant to Phil Jackson. In seven seasons with the Bulls, Cleamons watched Michael Jordan lead them to three consecutive championships from 1991 to 1993. "It's just a great fit because he is a guy who has won more than me," Scott said Wednesday. "I really feel he can help me tremendously. He has coached the best in the business from Michael Jordan to Shaquille O'Neal." Cleamons has coached for 14 seasons, and was the Dallas Mavericks' head coach for 1 ½ seasons after leaving the Bulls following the 1995-96 season. He finished with a 28-72 record in Dallas before he was reunited with Jackson in 1999 with the Lakers. Jackson and the Lakers parted ways after they lost to the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Finals in June. Cleamons and the rest of Jackson's staff did not receive contract renewals. Cleamons, 54, was mentioned as a candidate to replace Jackson, but Rudy Tomjanovich got the job last month. Cleamons also interviewed for the head coaching job at Ohio State, his alma matter, but it hired former Xavier-Ohio coach Thad Matta last month. Scott said he had no idea when he spoke to Cleamons in Los Angeles last month that he was interested in joining his staff. "I was like everybody else, I pretty much forgot that Phil wasn't with the Lakers anymore, which means the whole staff wasn't going to be there," Scott said. "Jim said he was available, and I said 'you've got to be kidding. This is too good to be true.' " "I told him to let's get this done. But you know, I had to sit down with him for a couple of hours." Scott said Tuesday he was considering former Philadelphia 76ers head coach Randy Ayers and former Toronto Raptors assistant Brian James, along with Cleamons. Last month, Scott hired Darrell Walker as his top assistant and Kenny Gattison, who was on former coach Tim Floyd's staff last season, was retained. Like Scott, all of his assistants are former NBA players. Cleamons played nine seasons in the NBA, starting with the Lakers in 1971-72. He also played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks and Washington Bullets. "I think we have one of the better staffs in this league," Scott said. "I just think it's an unbelievable mixture of experience, youth and passion. "All of us are real passionate about what we do. I think Jim brings even more of a sense of accomplishment to us because he's been there so often. Darrell is the high energy guy, and I'm right in the middle with Kenny." . . . . . . . John Reid can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3405. --

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