Remarks from Tuesday morning’s press conference in the New Orleans Arena, announcing that Hornets fourth-year coach Byron Scott is the winner of the 2007-08 NBA Coach of the Year award:

Hornets Owner George Shinn
“Byron, I’ve got to share with you that after that first season, when you had a spectacular 18-win season, my mother-in-law called me, and told me I should fire you. But my mother-in-law did not understand character, it was pretty obvious, because she approved her daughter to marry me. [grins]

“But one thing that I take a lot of pride in, is that the people I try to surround myself with are people with character. It was obvious to me that if this organization supported you with the young, athletic, good-character players that you wanted, we would win. That was a pledge you made to me, and the pledge I made to you. I think God has blessed us beyond our imagination.

‘Our players are here (at the press conference) supporting you, so it’s obvious where we came from and all we’ve been through, with the storm and having to go to Oklahoma for a couple years. I don’t know if anybody else could’ve handled it as well as you did. But I know it’s because of your faith, your determination and your desire to win. I am happy that you are the head coach of the Hornets and very happy that the entire NBA has wisened up and given you the honor you so richly deserve.”


Hornets Head Coach Byron Scott
“First of all, I’d like to thank Mr. Shinn for giving me this opportunity four years ago. He was a strong believer in me and my vision of what this team was all about. I’d like to also thank Jeff Bower, a terrific guy to work for and work with, as far as bringing players here. And obviously I want to thank the players: I have an unbelievable group of guys that I enjoy being around each day. They are a special group. I love them dearly. There is not a coach in this business right now that has a better job than I do. It’s tremendous to be blessed with the type of guys we have on this team.

“I’d like to thank my coaching staff – I have one of the best staffs in the NBA. This is a very humbling experience for me, because this is something that you never really think about. All I think about is getting great guys, trying to make them better, and trying to win basketball games. This is very special. Obviously I have to thank my wife (Anita) for allowing me to take the job four years ago. This has been great here. I love this organization and I love this team. I’m looking forward to the future.”


Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower
“Coach, I’d like to add my congratulations as well, and thank Mr. Shinn. One of the reasons this is such a great thing for the organization is because it’s a reflection of a team growing together, struggling together and improving together, to get to the point where we stand here today to celebrate what is generally noted as one of the premier awards in the game. This all wouldn’t have happened without a collective spirit that Byron helped nurture and grow and bring to life. His ability to build trust, confidence, a vision and a goal for his team has allowed this franchise to be on the verge of great things.

“The one thing I’d like to add to all of that is that everyone sees Byron on game nights under the bright lights, but what they don’t have the opportunity to see is him on the practice court, or him working with players before or after practice. That’s where his success is made and where the groundwork is laid. We have a great man here, who has done an incredible job with his team. We have a great team who has bonded together and allowed him to coach them. In today’s NBA world, that is something that is undervalued. It has to be a joint effort. It only comes together when there is the spirit where everyone understands why they are being asked to do things. Coach pushes his team. Any team that’s a winner or player who’s a winner wants to be pushed and prodded to do things that they were unable to do before. To go to different places than they’ve ever traveled to before. Byron has done an incredible job of working with everyone connected with the team and taking us there. We salute you for that. We aren’t surprised by it, because of your spirit and your attitude that has spread throughout the team. We’re really proud of you today.


Coach of the Year Q&A
After Shinn, Scott and Bower made their statements, reporters asked Scott questions about his winning the Coach of the Year award:

Q: When did you first learn that you had won the award? What was your initial reaction?
Scott: A couple days ago. My initial reaction was a little shock. I was very pleased about it. Obviously it’s a big reflection of the team. I’ve always said that great players make great coaches. I truly believe that. I truly believe we have some great players on this team. They’re the ones that allowed me to do what I do, from a coaching standpoint. Like Jeff said, they’re very cooperative, they work their butts off and they’re terrific people. That’s what I enjoy the most about them.

Q: Some people win this award when they get an infusion of talent, or they come into a good situation. Is it more gratifying to know that you were one of the chief architects of this and built it basically from scratch?
Scott: It’s gratifying, period. Like Mr. Shinn said, when we discussed me becoming the head coach here and some of the things we needed to do to be successful, we were all in agreement. He allowed me to coach. He allowed (Bower) to make some moves for us to be competitive. He had that type of confidence in me, and I had that confidence in Mr. Shinn (and Bower) to get it done. It feels great when you (were there) on the first floor, and you can see this all the way through, and get to this point.

Q: Did what you went through with Hurricane Katrina make you a better coach or a different coach in any way?
Scott: It probably made me a different coach, but my philosophies haven’t changed. I’m still a guy who demands a lot on the basketball court. Like Jeff said, in my mind I have a special relationship with every player on this team. I get along with all of these guys, but they understand that when the game starts, or when practice starts, “he’s Coach.” Katrina didn’t change the way I look at the game. But it did make me put a couple other things in perspective, as far as life in general.

Q: What did you take from your experience as a player that carried over to your method and attitude as a coach?
Scott: I played under some unbelievable coaches. Pat Riley is someone I truly admire. Larry Brown, who I also played for, is one of the best coaches in this game. I’ve had two very positive role models. My first coaching job was under Rick Adelman, who is probably one of the most underrated coaches in the league over the past 10 to 15 years. I’ve had coaches who have taught me how to approach the game from a coaching standpoint. I always thought that if you weren’t learning something from those guys, then you were doing yourself an injustice. When I started thinking about coaching at the age of 36, and started keeping a journal of what I liked and didn’t like, those were the two guys who came to mind. I loved their work ethic. I loved the way they push you to be a better basketball player. You’re looking at a clone of two guys who were very successful at what they did. I just tried to take pieces of what I learned from them over the years.