http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1084267670308360.xml Scott to talk to Hornets Former New Jersey coach to interview later this week Tuesday, May 11, 2004 By John Reid and Jimmy Smith par Staff writers Hornets team officials declined Monday to say how many candidates have expressed an interest in the team's vacant head coaching position, but former New Jersey Nets coach Byron Scott reportedly will come to New Orleans at the end of the week. A story in today's edition of the Newark Star-Ledger said Scott, a former Los Angeles Lakers standout, would be interviewed. Scott led the Nets to back-to-back appearances in the NBA Finals before he was fired at midseason. Bob Bass, the Hornets' executive vice president of basketball operations and general manager until June 30 -- when his retirement begins -- declined to comment on the report. The Hornets' head coaching job became vacant Friday when Tim Floyd was fired after one season for failing to guide the team beyond the first round of the playoffs and finishing with a 41-41 record in the regular season. "We're seeing now who is out there," Bass said Monday. Majority owner George Shinn and assistant general manager Allan Bristow also will be involved in the search for Floyd's replacement. Shinn is seeking a coach who has succeeded in the NBA and can handle players' egos and personalities. Scott fits that criteria, as do former Houston coach Rudy Tomjanovich, who guided the Rockets to two consecutive NBA titles; former Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Fratello; and Nets assistant Brian Hill, who was a finalist for the Hornets' job last year when Coach Paul Silas was not retained. Hill said through a source he's interested in the job. Others who might be considered are former Milwaukee Bucks coach George Karl and Hornets assistant Alvin Gentry. Gentry said Monday he will not apply for the job, but he would talk with the team if the Hornets expressed an interest. "To me it's in their hands," Gentry said. "If it gets to the point that they have an interest in me, I'm sure we'll sit down and talk. "I've been around here for a year, and they know me. I obviously would like to coach again in this league, but I wouldn't have anything to do with anything as long as I was working for Tim Floyd. Tim hired me, and I did everything I could to make him the best coach possible. I felt the whole staff did." Avery Johnson, a veteran who played with the Golden State Warriors last season and who prepped at St. Augustine, also has expressed an interest. But he doesn't have any experience as an NBA coach, despite an impressive playing career that includes an NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 1999. Another vacancy the Hornets must fill is finding a replacement for Bass. One of the top candidates appears to be Bristow, but he hasn't been interviewed for the position. "I've been too busy, lining up workouts for draft prospects who are going to come in here at the end of the month," Bristow 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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