http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1084950095259460.xml Scott's agent: Meetings 'terrific' Coach would be demanding of team Wednesday, May 19, 2004 By John Reid and Jimmy Smith par Staff writers Byron Scott said Tuesday through his agent, Brian McInery, that he is definitely interested in the Hornets' vacant head coaching position after meeting with team officials the past two days. "It's a decision for them to decide what they want to do and bring to their fans, it's not really our decision," McInery said. "We're not really under any pressure. Byron wouldn't have gone there if he wasn't interested. But he's not going to accept anything less than excellence." Last week Hornets majority owner George Shinn identified Scott as one of the top candidates to replace Tim Floyd, who was fired May 7. Scott was the first candidate to be interviewed Monday with Shinn and several other team officials, and talks lasted nearly two hours at the team's temporary practice facility. On Tuesday, Scott was given a tour of the team's private plane, and he had more meetings with team officials before departing home to New Jersey. "They met people and it was terrific," McInery said. "They're (Hornets) not going to wait long (to make a decision), there's no reason for it. We know Mr. Shinn and all the things he's tried to do. We respect Bob Bass. We love the facilities." But the Hornets have not offered the job to Scott, who 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. Shinn said he plans to conduct more interviews before making a decision. A league source said the Hornets plan to interview former NBA coaches Mike Fratello, Brian Hill and George Karl. The Hornets asked the New Jersey Nets last week for permission to speak to Hill, a former Hornets assistant who previously was a head coach with the Orlando Magic and Vancouver Grizzlies. Hill was a finalist for the Hornets job last season. As the Hornets continue to look at candidates, there remains the possibility that Scott may consider other NBA head coaching jobs. He has been mentioned as a possible candidate to coach the Los Angeles Lakers if Phil Jackson does not return next season. The Lakers have advanced into the Western Conference finals, which begin later this week. Scott, who grew up in Inglewood, Calif., won three NBA titles as a player with the Lakers. During Monday's talks, Shinn said he asked Scott about his interest in the Lakers' job as well as other openings. "He said he wasn't particularly waiting on anybody or anything," Shinn said. "He felt the same way we did -- he was going to make a quick decision." McInery said if Scott gets the job, he's going to demand a lot from the players. He's not going to tolerate players reporting to training camp out of shape. "This is about giving the best you can do every single night you play," McInery said. "Nobody laughs when they lose. Nobody is talking about where they're going out for dinner or party after a loss. You're not going to whine." "That's not the way Byron was raised. He'll never just accept going to the first round of the playoffs. He knows nothing but winning and accepts nothing but winning. If they want to work their butts off, that's the guy for them." Point guard Baron Davis, who met with Scott on Monday, said he's willing to work hard for whomever the Hornets hire. "I'm going to play hard and come back next season totally focused," Davis said Monday. McInery said Scott likes New Orleans and the Hornets' facilities. But what impressed Scott the most is what Shinn did last week. "He spent his 63rd birthday at a hospital giving presents, and that touched Byron," McInery said. "Byron spent much of his career doing charity work." . . . . . . . John Reid can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3787. --

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