(Ep028) Byron Scott (Part 2): Mentoring a Young Kobe, Transitioning from Player to Coach, and the Hall of Fame Coaches Who Molded Him

A lot of basketball legends are either great players or coaches. But Byron Scott is one of the few who can legitimately claim to be both (though he’s too humble to say so). As a member of the Los Angeles Lakers’ Showtime dynasty, Byron won three NBA championships. He also lost a few bitterly contested Finals showdowns with the Lakers’ arch-nemesis: the Boston Celtics. 

Once he moved from the hardwood to the bench, Byron quickly asserted his strong values and coaching principles, leading the New Jersey Nets to the NBA Finals and earning Coach of the Year honors. He went on to coach Kobe Bryant in the twilight of his career and make a mark as a mentor for the young guns who are now in starring roles for teams across the League. 

In this episode, Byron shares: 

• The transition from playing to coaching

• How the '80s Showtime Lakers had more leaders than Magic Johnson

• The Hall of Fame coaches who planted the coaching seed in him

• What it was like to mentor a young Kobe

• What shocked him about Kobe in those early years

Want to hear more from Byron? Follow him on Instagram and listen to his excellent show, Off the Dribble with Byron Scott.