He’ll join the sports network giant in January as an NBA analyst.

Though New Orleans was off to a meager 3 – 6 start, I don’t believe that Scott deserved to be fired. He was NBA Coach of the Year in 2008. And that was just two years ago. He also coached the New Jersey Nets from 2000-04, leading them to two NBA Finals appearances.

Byron Scott will be joining ESPN in January.

“Byron has excelled in every professional endeavor and we know his success will carry over to his on-air role,” said Norby Williamson, ESPN’s executive vice president for production. ”We welcome him back. His experience and passion for the game will resonate with our fans.”

Scott is an excellent coach, and I think he has the kind of charisma and reputation that speaks to NBA players on a variety of levels. Even Chris Paul was shocked and dismayed when Scott was let go. I think we’ll see him again, coaching another NBA team in the future.

For now, Scott will take his place behind the ESPN desk.

Image: Zuma Press

Post from: EveryJoe

Byron Scott Returns

Apparently “The Answer” agreed to a one-year contract with his former team. He informed the Philadelphia 76ers this morning that he would accept the deal. According to ESPN, The contract is for a pro-rated veteran’s minimum of $1.3 million.

Allen Iverson won't be setting the basketball on the shelf after all.

Even though Iverson announced his “retirement” last week, it seemed as though he felt he wasn’t ready to leave the NBA. As fate would have it, the Sixers lost Lou Williams to an injury which is said to have “sidelined him for eight weeks.”

If you’re team president Ed Stefanski, what would you do?

Ironically, his “answer” was to turn to Iverson, who led the Sixers to the NBA Finals in 2001.

Perhaps, this is the kind rebirth that Iverson needs to find his game. Who said you can’t go home again?

Image: Zuma Press

Post from: EveryJoe

Iverson Agrees To Sign With The Sixers

The bottom line is that this team works. They have it all: Chemistry. Talent. Veteran talent. Young talent. Defensive prowess. Offensive spark.

What was missing in the playoffs was quite clear: Kevin Garnett. Yet Danny Ainge, the same genius GM that brought Ray Allen and Garnett to the team in the first place,  wants to deal Rajon Rando and Allen to the highest bidder.

Why? Sure, Allen is going to be 34 but he can still shoot the lights out in any building and has at least one more good year left in him. And Rando has improved to become one of the top point guards in the league. Combine that with team chemistry and a healthy Garnett and you’ve got the makings of another championship team.

Trades should come on the outskirts, with the shuffling of role players and not on the inside where the core of the team is already in place.

I don’t get it. But maybe that’s why I’m not a GM. Maybe Ainge sees something that I don’t see. But I think that if Allen and Rondo get traded, we won’t see another NBA Championship in Boston any time soon.

Post from: EveryJoe

Boston Celtics Looking To Trade Big Stars

Image details: 2007 ESPY Awards – Arrivals served by picapp.com

The annual 2008 ESPY Awards will air live on ESPN on Sunday, July 20th at 9 pm est / 8 pm cst, and keeping with their tradition of including outdoor sports and motorsports within their equation, NASCAR will be represented with nominees in three separate categories this year.

Every year, the ESPY’s select from a pool of nominees for their racing-specific athlete category for “Best Driver“. A NASCAR driver has won this award in 9 of the 15 years, and 4 of the last 5. The most recent winners of this award were Jeff Gordon in 2007 and Tony Stewart in 2006. Representing NASCAR this year are 2006 and 2007 Sprint Cup Series champion, Jimmie Johnson (whom has never won the award), current Sprint Cup points leader, Kyle Busch, and Dario Franchitti (though Franchitti was nominated for his win in the 2007 Indianapolis 500 and for winning the IndyCar Series championship last season). They will compete against Lewis Hamilton, Tony Schumacher, and Scott Dixon.

Kyle Busch’s surge to 7 wins this season in the Sprint Cup Series and 14 altogether in NASCAR’s top-three series has also earned him a nomination as the “Breakthrough Athlete of the Year“, but he’s going to be looking at some pretty stout competition in this category, particularly as he goes against Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings. Also nominated for this award are Stephen Curry (basketball) and Ana Ivanovic (tennis). Devin Hester of the Chicago Bears won the award last year.

Much to his own surprise, Jamie McMurray is up for an award himself. He’s been nominated for the “Best Finish” award for his 0.05 second victory over Kyle Busch in the 2007 Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway. He will be up against Western Kentucky’s 3-point buzzer shot to advance over Drake University in the NCAA Tournament; the San Antonio Spurs’ victory over the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals in double overtime; and the Pittsburgh Penguins triple overtime win against the Detroit Redwings in Game 5 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals.

Additionally, IRL star, Danica Patrick, is nominated for the awards of “Best Moment” and “Best Female Athlete.”

Go here for a complete list of the 2008 ESPY Nominees and go to ESPN.com for listing information on the event itself.

Post from: EveryJoe

NASCAR Represented in 2008 ESPY Award Nominations