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.

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Post from: EveryJoe

Byron Scott Returns

“His basketball IQ is phenomenal,” O’Neal said on ESPN.com. “He could coach in the NBA right now.”

It’s obvious that James has been quick study of the game. After all, he entered the league at the tender age of 18, yet he played and acted at least 10 years beyond his age.  James considers himself a “student of the game,” which means he continues to study every aspect of basketball, including offense, defense, strategy, passing, shooting, positioning and more.

Raw talent will only get you so far. It’s raw talent that got James into the NBA, but it’s his willingness to continue to learn and grow that makes him one of the top players in the league consistently, year after year. It doesn’t take a genius to see that.

Just ask Shaq.

Here’s a throwback to James in his early NBA days.  The talent was always there, but his game has certainly evolved since then.

Post from: EveryJoe

Lebron James: NBA Coach?

While some athletes may use Twitter to connect with fans and offer up a bit of humor now and again, others use it to complain about their team, their limited playing time, and their gripes with head coaches. Larry Johnson pretty much lost his job with the Kansas City Chiefs because of what he wrote on his Twitter account page.

According to his Twitter page, Terrence Williams wishes Mr. Stern had called his name sooner.

Here’s a little advice for those “Twittering” athletes: Don’t use Twitter to complain, it’s going to get  back to the powers-that-be. Take NBA rookie Terrence Williams for example. Chosen eleventh in the 2009 NBA draft, Williams was selected by the New Jersey Nets. Apparently, the Louisville standout isn’t happy with his playing time or being part of a losing team.

According to SI.com, he “Tweeted” the following: “How would it be if Mr. Stern called my name 10 min earlier, #9 or 5 min later, #12 hmmmmmmmmm to bad I can’t live off what ifs.”

“Too” bad Williams doesn’t use spellcheck. Not only are we well aware that his grammar stinks now, we also know that his attitude stinks as well.  His teammates, coaches, and even Mr. Stern for that matter, know it stinks now, too.

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Post from: EveryJoe

NBA Players Should Stay Away From Twitter

Yao Ming isn’t going to test the water of the free agency pool, he’s going to stay with the Houston Rockets instead. According to SI.com, Houston general manager Daryl Morey said that there is no doubt in his mind that the 7-foot-6 center isn’t going to opt out of his contract in order to become a free agent.

Yao Ming may be riding the pine this season, but he'll be back with the Rockets in 2010.

“He’s very loyal, and he’s going to opt in,” Morey said in an interview Monday night with FanHouse. “He’s definitely coming back.”

Yao is currently out for the 2009 season, as he recovers from the foot surgery he had over the summer. Knowing what a decent guy he is, I’d be as shocked and surprised as Morey would be if Yao decided to jump ship.

I agree with the GM. Yao isn’t going anywhere.

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Post from: EveryJoe

Yao To Stay With Houston

According to ESPN, Harpring has never completely recovered from an infection that developed after ankle surgery in the summer of 2008. “After consultations with the doctors and based on their recommendations, I have reluctantly come to the realization that my body can simply no longer withstand the rigors of NBA games and practices,” he said.

Matt Harping may be sidelined indefinitely.

Harpring joined the Utah Jazz as a free agent in 2002. He found success and a home with the Jazz, and thrived as a prolific shooter. Unfortunately, Harpring’s playing time has dropped consistently over the last few years because of injuries, including multiple knee surgeries and the strep infection that developed from having a bone spur removed from his right ankle.

The 2009 season is over for Harpring. And it looks as though his NBA career may be over as well.

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Post from: EveryJoe

Matt Harpring’s Season Is Over; Career Too?

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?

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Post from: EveryJoe

Iverson Agrees To Sign With The Sixers

I posed a simple question in my post. I asked, who would want to coach the Nets now? Well, according to SI.com, Patrick Ewing is interested. The former NBA All-Star has been an assistant coach for the past seven seasons. Apparently, he’s ready for a new challenge.

Patrick Ewing has been an assistant coach for seven seasons. He's ready to take the next step.

Taking over as head coach for the Nets would certainly be a challenge. Maybe Ewing wants a chance to prove that he has what it takes to be a head coach in the NBA. If he can turn this team around, he’ll definitely earn his stripes.

Nets general manager, Kiki Vandeweghe will take over as head coach for the time being. According to ESPN.com, Vandeweghe played 13 seasons in the NBA with four teams and was a two-time All-Star. His only coaching experience came in Dallas, under Don Nelson. Despite his lack of experience, Vandeweghe has one thing going for him — if he can win at least one game then he’s one up on Frank.

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Post from: EveryJoe

Ewing Wants To Coach The New Jersey Nets

Tonight, they’ll have a chance to see just how good they really are when they play the defending NBA Champions. The Los Angeles Lakers are currently 6-1, and they are on a mission to repeat.

“When you’re playing the world champs, it’s always a great measuring stick,” said Nash, according to ESPN.com. “Now we go to LA and see how good we are.”

The Phoenix Suns will try to keep Kobe Bryant in check when they face off against the Lakers in L.A. tonight.

Accurate shooting, a high-flying offense and good defense have helped get the Suns off to one of their best starts since the 1980-81 season. After beating the New Orleans Hornets by 20 points last night, All-Star guard Chris Paul had this to say:

“They’re like the Phoenix Suns of my rookie year and my second year in the league. I give them a lot of credit. They did a great job of putting those pieces back together.”

We’ll see how those pieces can measure up against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers tonight.

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Post from: EveryJoe

High-Flying Suns Ready For The Champions

There were also rumors circulating that “The Answer” is frustrated and discontent with his new reserve role for Memphis. Iverson is used to being the star and the go-to player. He’s not used to coming off the bench in a supporting role.

Allen Iverson is considering retiring after 14 seasons in the NBA.

But this is the way it is, and Iverson isn’t the player he used to be.  Somehow,  his selfishness and ego have always managed to get in the way of his success and it’s the main reason why Memphis was the only team who expressed interest in signing him in the off-season. Terrible teams will take risks on players with poor personalities. Look at Terrell Owens.  After he left Dallas, his lack of production and off-putting personality hindered his chances of signing with a playoff-caliber team. Instead, he landed in Buffalo where his numbers are shaping up to be the worst of his NFL career.

Iverson is in a similar situation. But rather than suffer through what is sure to be a disappointing NBA season, he’d rather call it quits.

It’s a shame that he has to go out like this.  But unfortunately,  “The Answer” has run out of answers.

Image:  Zuma Press

Post from: EveryJoe

Iverson Contemplating Retirement

Some NBA analysts speculate about New York, arguing that James belongs in a big city where he can take advantage of off-court opportunities. The same could be said about Los Angeles. It would be a better fit for him for two main reasons:

1. Kobe Bryant.
2. Hollywood potential.

James could easily break into the entertainment industry while living in L.A., and he’d be teamed up with the best basketball player in the world.

LeBron James + Kobe Bryant = Trouble for the rest of the NBA.

When you weigh in those two factors, New York doesn’t seem so appealing anymore.

The only issue that could possibly arise is money. Do the Los Angeles Lakers have enough extra capital to sign James? Interestingly enough, we found on on Monday that Jordan Farmar and Adam Morrison weren’t given contract extentions. That’s a few million dollars in the bank right there.

Could the Lakers be clearing their roster for a new arrival? Think about it.

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Post from: EveryJoe

LeBron And Kobe On The Same Team?