Cleveland Cavaliers coach Byron Scott is angry, and eager to prove critics wrong
Thursday, November 18, 2010, 8:00 PM
Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer
"Twelve games!" said Byron Scott, shaking his head. "Some guy said we'd win only 12 games. That really got to me."
So did the predictions that the Cavs would win only 20 or 25 or maybe even 30 games.
"The Cavs won more games than any team in the league the last two seasons," said Scott.
"LeBron [James] had a lot to do with that. But to say that we're going to fall apart without him -- to me, that's a slap in the face to the guys who are here. It says LeBron had no help, and that's not true."
It also says something else, which the new Cavs coach doesn't say out loud. Those predictions of Cavaliers doom also say that Scott can't coach. Even more insulting, that he can't lead.
Spend a few minutes with Scott and know the man oozes leadership. He looks you in the eye. He stands straight. He speaks his mind, and he does it clearly.
"These players here aren't losers," said Scott. "Mo Williams and Antawn Jamison have made All-Star teams. I always loved Andy [Varejao]; he brings such passion and energy to the game. Look at what Boobie [Daniel Gibson] had done now that he's getting a chance. We have talent here."
Scott's voice rises, his eyes flash determination as he talks about the players. He's coached for 10 years in New Jersey and New Orleans.
"In terms of talent, this is the best team that I have ever taken over," he said. "When it comes to ownership and the front office and the facilities -- I'm Cinder-fella."
Cinder-fella?
"That's what my wife says," he explained. "This is best place that I've had a chance to coach when it comes to all the support. We have an owner [Dan Gilbert] who wants to win and puts his money where his mouth is. This is the happiest I have been in a long time."
Which is why Scott is exactly the best man to coach the Cavs in the post-LeBron era. There will be no pity parties on his watch. It began the first day of training camp when the Cavs ran and ran and ran.
Scott said forward Jawad Williams -- one of the team's hardest workers -- looked at the coach and said, "Man, this is crazy."
"It will pay off come January and February," said Scott. "Just watch, we'll be in shape. There is a method to the madness."
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Scott is demanding but very upbeat</big>
The Cavs are 5-5 as they play in New Orleans tonight and at San Antonio on Saturday -- two very tough stops. The early schedule has been somewhat soft, Boston and Atlanta being the only playoff teams in the first 10 games.
"But most people didn't think we'd be 5-5 at this points," said Scott. "That's not bad, but I figure we gave away at least two games."
In training camp, Scott was demanding in terms of his drills and practices -- but very upbeat when it came to remarks to his players. But when the team lost home games to Sacramento and Atlanta, "the players saw another side of me," said Scott.
Scott told the team that it has been hard with Varejao, Jamison and Williams all battling injuries -- and they never played a single preseason minute together. He said most people have written them off, that some of them "are feeling sorry for yourself . . . and I'm not going to take that crap."
Scott said he can't recall much of what he said, "because it came straight from the heart, and it was real emotional."
It's impressive how Scott is not afraid to bench a starter in the fourth quarter if the bench is doing a better job. He did it to Williams in one game, and to J.J. Hickson in another -- both victories.
"Mo has been great," he said. "In that game, he was 1-for-12 [shooting]. Sess [Ramon Sessions] was playing great. During a timeout, he even told me to stick with Sess if I wanted to."
As for the 22-year-old Hickson, he will learn a lot about tough love from this 14-year NBA guard who is in his 11th season as a head coach.
"I'll get on him because I know how good he can be," said Scott. "I told the players that I'll put my 66-year-old mother in the game if she gives us the best chance to win that night."
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Scott's message is loud and clear</big>
What bothers Scott the most about this season is the 2-4 home record.
"Our fans have been great, they have shown us nothing but love," he said. "Everywhere I go, fans say how they like our team. They say they enjoy the Princeton offense, they like the ball movement. They really are behind us."
The Cavs are a first-class operation from the practice facility to how they travel to the dressing rooms. They have a chef ready to prepare meals after practice for the players.
That's not the case with most teams, and Scott wants the players to appreciate what they have here.
Scott said when he played at home during his career with the Lakers, game day was special. He didn't take any phone calls.He didn't go out. He stayed home, then went to the morning shootaround, took a nap, then went to the game.
"We have some young guys, and they need to understand this is a job," he said. "That was another thing we talked about [after the Atlanta game]. I got pretty loud that day, and it was a shock to them. I don't like to do that often, but I will do it."
Scott paused and smiled.
"These are good guys, they want to learn," he said. "I like this team. With all the injuries and having to learn a new offense, we've been through a lot already. We will get better, just watch. I'm in this thing to win, and so are these players."
chuckles
