In the News

Cavs' Varejao stays sidelined with broken wrist
Cavaliers coach Byron Scott says center Anderson Varejao's broken right wrist will not be re-examined by doctors until next week.

Irving's layup lifts Cavs over Nuggets, 100-99 (Yahoo! Sports)

Kyrie Irving hit a driving layup with four seconds left to cap a seesaw battle in the final minutes and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Denver Nuggets 100-99 on Wednesday night. Irving scored 10 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, all in the last 2:36 of the game, and Antawn Jamison had 33 to help the Cavaliers snap a six-game skid.

Celtics top Cavaliers to end 5-game skid (AP)

Ray Allen scored 22 points, Kevin Garnett added 18 and the Boston Celtics beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 86-83 on Tuesday night to snap a five-game losing streak. Boston, which couldn't hold a 16-point lead in the first quarter, avoided its first six-game skid since dropping seven in a row from April 4-15, 2007.

Cavs G Davis returns, comes off bench (AP)
Cavaliers guard Baron Davis, who missed the last three games because of back spasms, will play against the Detroit Pistons. Cleveland coach Byron Scott said Davis will come off the bench and play 20 to 25 minutes on Friday night. Davis, acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers in a Feb. 24 trade, is averaging 14.3 points in four games for the Cavaliers.

Westbrook's surge helps Thunder top Cavs (AP)

Russell Westbrook scored 12 straight points -- all on hard drives to the rim -- during a five-minute stretch of the third quarter to awaken his listless teammates and lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 95-75 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. Westbrook scored 14 of his 20 points in the third quarter, helping the Thunder open a 20-point cushion.

Cleveland Cavaliers coach Byron Scott holding Baron Davis out vs. San Antonio Spurs
Baron Davis will miss the Cleveland Cavaliers' game against San Antonio.

Cavaliers PG Davis out against Spurs (AP)
Baron Davis will miss the Cleveland Cavaliers' game against San Antonio. Coach Byron Scott wants Davis, acquired Feb. 24 from the Los Angeles Clippers, to have at least one more practice with the team before playing in a game. The guard, who practiced Monday and Tuesday, is expected to play Friday against New York or Sunday against New Orleans.

Arizona State to retire Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Byron Scott's No. 11 jersey
Cavaliers coach Byron Scott will start his All-Star break by getting his jersey retired at Arizona State.

Wizards beat Cavs for first road win (AP)

The Wizards traveled to the right place for a road win. Nick Young scored 31 points, John Wall had 19 points and 14 assists and Washington snapped its 25-game road winless streak with a 115-100 win Sunday night over the Cleveland Cavaliers, who reverted to their losing ways one game after ending their record skid.

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Byron Scott: 'I'm the right man for the job'
Despite the Cavaliers being in the grips of a 26-game losing streak that has turned them into a late-night TV punchline and punching bag for any NBA team that takes the court with them, Byron Scott says he's not concerned about being fired.

Cavs coach Scott not worried about job (AP)
Byron Scott's emotions run the gamut these days. Cleveland's coach is alternately mad, disappointed and frustrated with his historically awful team. However, he's not worried. "Not one bit," he said. Despite the Cavaliers being in the grips of a 26-game losing streak that has turned them into a late-night TV punchline and punching bag for any NBA team that takes the court with...

Nuggets hand Cavs 19th straight loss (AP)

Carmelo Anthony scored 33 points, Arron Afflalo added 23 and the Denver Nuggets avoided any embarrassment by beating Cleveland 117-103 on Friday night, handing the pathetic Cavaliers their team record-tying 19th straight loss. Still winless in 2011, the Cavs have also dropped 29 of 30 and are now just five losses away from breaking the NBA record of 23 consecutive defeats in one season, an...

Cavs to go with 8 players vs. Nuggets (AP)
The injury-riddled Cleveland Cavaliers will have only eight players available against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night. Cavs coach Byron Scott said he's never coached a game with so few players on the bench. But with Ryan Hollins missing the game due to a death in the family and a rash of injuries, Scott is going to have fewer choices.

Cavs starter Parker out with back issue (AP)
Cavaliers starting forward Anthony Parker is not playing because of "a back issue." Parker, the only Cleveland player to start in all 34 games, will not play in Wednesday's game against Toronto. Coach Byron Scott said Parker's back has been bothering him for a few days and that if stiffened up after the morning shootaround.

Sloan ties Riley for 3rd on wins list (AP)

CJ Miles scored 22 points, Paul Millsap and Raja Bell added 19 apiece and the Utah Jazz beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 101-90 on Monday night, moving coach Jerry Sloan into a tie with Pat Riley for the third-most wins in NBA history. Deron Williams had 17 points and 10 assists as the Jazz improved to 11-1 against the Eastern Conference.

Bulls hand Cavaliers sixth straight loss (AP)

Derrick Rose scored 29 points, including a three-point play that put Chicago ahead for good with 39.2 seconds to play, and the Bulls beat Cleveland 88-83 on Wednesday night to hand the Cavaliers their sixth straight loss. The losing streak matches Cleveland's longest since it dropped six in a row from Nov.

Cleveland Cavs coach Byron Scott benches regulars, won't quit on season
Although clearly frustrated by his team's play, Cleveland Cavaliers coach Byron Scott isn't giving up on the season.

Snow delays Cleveland Cavaliers before Chicago Bulls game
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Byron Scott said that over half his team was delayed by a snowstorm in downtown Cleveland and was still making its way to the arena an hour before a game against the Chicago Bulls.

Cavs coach Scott fined for ripping refs (AP)
Cleveland Cavaliers coach Byron Scott has been fined $35,000 for publicly criticizing game officials. NBA Executive Vice President Stu Jackson announced the discipline Sunday for the comments Scott made following Cleveland's 110-100 loss at Orlando on Friday. Scott criticized officials Ed Malloy, Bennie Adams and Kevin Fehr.

Scott expects fine for criticizing refs (AP)

Cavaliers coach Byron Scott said he expects to be fined by the NBA after criticizing officials following a loss at Orlando. After Cleveland's 110-100 loss on Friday, Scott criticized officials Ed Malloy, Bennie Adams and Kevin Fehr. He bemoaned having to play a team where "there's five white jerseys and three with stripes.

Cleveland Cavaliers coach Byron Scott expects to be fined for comments about officials
Cavaliers coach Byron Scott said he expects to be fined by the NBA after criticizing officials following a loss at Orlando.

Cavs F Jamison sits out against 76ers (AP)
Cavaliers forward Antawn Jamison sat out Friday's game against Philadelphia with a sore left knee. Jamison was inactive for the second straight game. He missed Tuesday's loss against Atlanta. Coach Byron Scott says Jamison is day to day. Scott says he won't know until Saturday if Jamison can play that night against Washington.

Cavs set to start over without James (AP)
Like anyone with a stake in the outcome, Byron Scott sat glued to his TV on July 8 and watched as superstar LeBron James announced he was packing up and leaving Ohio for Florida. Once "The Decision" was official, Scott made a choice of his own. "I turned it off," the Cavaliers' first-year coach said, "and started getting ready for practice." And for his first...

Cavs' Williams makes it through practice (AP)
Cavaliers guard Mo Williams made it through his first full practice of the preseason Wednesday after being slowed by a groin injury. Williams strained his groin shortly before the Cavs opened training camp. Williams, who is expected to carry more of the scoring load this season following LeBron James' departure, impressed new coach Byron Scott with his stamina during a hard practice.

Sources: Larry Bird was contacted about Cleveland Cavaliers' job before Byron Scott was hired
Byron Scott was not the only prominent alumnus of the storied Lakers-Celtics rivalry of the 1980s that the Cavaliers approached. They also reached out to Larry Bird, ESPN.com has learned.

Cavs begin life after LeBron with preseason win
Daniel Gibson scored 18 points and J.J. Hickson added 17 as the Cleveland Cavaliers, under new coach Byron Scott, moved a little further away from LeBron James' imposing shadow by opening the preseason with an 87-72 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats.

Varejao excused from Cavaliers camp (AP)
Cleveand Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao has been excused from training camp following his grandfather's death in Brazil. The team said Varejao has left for his home country, but did not indicate when he would return. The Cavs opened their first camp under new coach Byron Scott on Tuesday. Varejao on Monday said he was still slowed after spraining his ankle during an exhibition game in Spain...

Byron Scott says 'both feet in' as Cavs begin new era
Life without LeBron James has begun for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Scott visits LeBron before announcement
New Cavs coach Byron Scott showed up unannounced at James' summer camp and spent an hour watching the two-time MVP and several Cleveland players work out on Wednesday as the NBA - and seemingly the entire sports world - prepares for James to announce which team he'll sign with during a national TV appearance on ESPN.

Byron Scott introduced by Cleveland Cavaliers, says choice was clear
Byron Scott insists he didn't wrestle with his decision to coach the Cleveland Cavaliers even though he doesn't know if LeBron James will be on his team.

Byron Scott press conference


Cleveland Cavaliers hire Byron Scott as head coach
With LeBron or without LeBron, Byron Scott is back coaching in the NBA.

Agent: Byron Scott accepts Cavs' job
Byron Scott has accepted Cleveland's coaching job, his agent told The Associated Press.

Byron Scott accepts Cavs' job
The Cavaliers hired Byron Scott on Thursday, finalizing a reported four-year contract on the same day superstar LeBron James officially became a free agent and heard offers from other teams hoping to lure him away from Cleveland.

Cavaliers in 'serious talks' with Scott (AP)
The Cleveland Cavaliers are in "serious talks" with Byron Scott to be their coach, a person familiar with the team's search told The Associated Press. After completing interviews with several candidates including Los Angeles Lakers assistant Brian Shaw, the Cavaliers have decided to "move in the Scott direction," said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday...

Sources: Byron Scott in negotiations to coach Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers are in negotiations with Byron Scott to make him Cleveland's next coach, according to league sources.

Sources: Scott emerges as serious candidate for Cleveland Cavaliers job
Byron Scott has emerged as a strong candidate to become the the Cleveland Cavaliers coach, according to an Eastern Conference executive with knowledge of the club's thinking.

Byron Scott rejoins ESPN as NBA studio analyst
Former Hornets coach Byron Scott is rejoining ESPN as an NBA analyst.

Paul unsure Hornets had to fire Scott (AP)
Chris Paul's loss was Tim Floyd's gain. From here on into the foreseeable future, they'll win and lose together. Paul said he was not sure firing Byron Scott as head coach was the change the struggling New Orleans Hornets needed to make. Floyd said the opportunity to rejoin the club as a top assistant "seemed like a perfect scenario for me." Floyd, a former head coach for New...

Paul injured, Hornets lose Bower's debut (AP)

LaMarcus Aldridge had 20 points and 13 rebounds, helping Portland to an 86-78 victory over a New Orleans team on Friday night that lost Chris Paul to a sprained ankle while trying to adjust to new head coach Jeff Bower. The Hornets trailed for most of their first game since the firing of Byron Scott on Thursday.

Hornets' star Paul unsure coach Scott had to go
Chris Paul's loss was Tim Floyd's gain. From here on into the foreseeable future, they'll win and lose together. Paul said he was not sure firing Byron Scott as head coach was the change the struggling New Orleans Hornets needed to make. Floyd said the opportunity to rejoin the club as a top assistant "seemed like a perfect scenario for me.

Chris Paul of New Orleans Hornets not sure firing Byron Scott was neccesary
Chrios Paul said he was not sure firing Byron Scott as head coach was the change the struggling New Orleans Hornets needed to make.

New Orleans Hornets fire Byron Scott, according to NBA sources
The New Orleans Hornets have responded to their 3-6 start by making the first coaching change of the young NBA season, firing Byron Scott on Thursday, according to NBA coaching sources.

Hornets fire Scott as coach after 3-6 start
A person familiar with the decision says the New Orleans Hornets have fired coach Byron Scott. The person confirmed the firing to The Associated Press and requested anonymity because the team had not yet announced it. A news conference is scheduled for Thursday afternoon. New Orleans lost 124-104 at Phoenix on Wednesday, falling to 3-6 to start the season. When Scott took over as coach following the 2003-04 season, he was the Hornets' third coach in three seasons.

VIDEO: Why did Hornets fire Scott?
Byron Scott raised the level of expectation in New Orleans. When the Hornets didn't reach it, Randy Hill says, guess who got axed?

Hornets fire Scott, GM Bower to coach (AP)

The New Orleans Hornets fired Byron Scott only nine games into the season on Thursday and replaced him with general manager Jeff Bower, hoping the man who put the current roster together can get more out of it on the court. "I told Jeff, 'The genie's out of the bottle,"' Hornets chief operating officer Hugh Weber said.

Hornets fire Scott as coach after slow 3-6 start
A person familiar with the decision says the New Orleans Hornets have fired coach Byron Scott. The person confirmed the firing to The Associated Press and requested anonymity because the team had not yet announced it. A news conference is scheduled for Thursday afternoon. New Orleans lost 124-104 at Phoenix on Wednesday, falling to 3-6 to start the season. When Scott took over as coach following the 2003-04 season, he was the Hornets' third coach in three seasons.

Parker takes hard fall in Spurs' win (AP)

Other than Tony Parker crashing to the floor, it was everything the revamped San Antonio Spurs wanted for a season opener. Parker walked back to the bench OK after a hard landing in the third quarter, leaving the game with 17 points but with rookie DeJuan Blair and the Spurs already well in command of the New Orleans Hornets in a 113-96 victory on Wednesday night.

Nuggets blow 26-point lead, top Hornets (AP)

The Denver Nuggets' starters were looking forward to resting in the fourth quarter. Instead, they needed Carmelo Anthony's last-minute shot. Anthony scored 22 points, including a layup with 56.5 seconds left, and the Nuggets blew a 26-point third quarter lead before recovering to beat the New Orleans Hornets 105-100 on Saturday night.

Paul keeps Hornets perfect in preseason (AP)

Chris Paul's midseason-like form kept the New Orleans Hornets undefeated in the preseason. Paul had 23 points, 15 assists, five rebounds and three steals in 36 minutes, leading the New Orleans Hornets to a 101-96 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night. "He looks like he's ready to go," said Hornets coach Byron Scott, who said he wanted to give his starters more playing time as the regular...

Excited about Hornets' future, Scott signs deal
Byron Scott's extension with Hornets became official Wednesday.

Scott encouraged about Hornets' future
Byron Scott had a chance to chat with Michael Jordan last week when the two were in Orlando to watch prospects work out at a pre-draft camp. When they spoke, Scott, the NBA coach of the year, had yet to agree to a contract extension with the New Orleans Hornets. Jordan, now a part-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, was curious about Scott's plans. "You're not really thinking about leaving Chris Paul, are you?" Scott recalled Jordan asking. "Nah, not really," Scott replied.

Scott agrees to extension with Hornets
NBA coach of the year Byron Scott and the New Orleans Hornets have agreed in principle to a contract extension. Hornets spokesman Harold Kaufman confirmed the deal on Wednesday but said he could not disclose the terms of the agreement.

Hornets, coach Scott agree to contract extension
NBA coach of the year Byron Scott and the New Orleans Hornets have agreed in principle to a contract extension.

Scott expects be back as Hornets coach
NBA coach of the year Byron Scott, who has the right to buy out the remainder of his contract and go to the highest bidder next season, showed little interest in leaving the Hornets on Wednesday. "I expect to be here," Scott said. "In my mind right now I hope to be here unless something crazy happens." The Hornets pay Scott about $3.

Scott expects to get extension, stay with Hornets
Byron Scott expects to remain with the Hornets next season with an extension.

Scott expects to return as Hornets coach (AP)
NBA coach of the year Byron Scott, who has the right to buy out the remainder of his contract and go to the highest bidder next season, showed little interest in leaving the Hornets on Wednesday. "I expect to be here," Scott said. "In my mind right now I hope to be here unless something crazy happens." The Hornets pay Scott about $3.5 million a year and the team's majority owner, George Shinn, said...

Spurs, Hornets to get rest before Game 7 (AP)
The last thing the New Orleans Hornets wanted was to give the defending champions the whole weekend off before Game 7. "You're playing with fire," coach Byron Scott said before the San Antonio Spurs beat the Hornets 99-80 Thursday night. Too late now. It's back to New Orleans for a winner-take-all matchup Monday night.

West has 38, Hornets go up 3-2 on Spurs (AP)

Back pain couldn't keep David West from taking the court with aggression. The San Antonio Spurs couldn't stop him from dominating. "Back in the locker room, right before we break huddle and come out to the game, we said, 'No excuses,"' West recalled. "Regardless of how I was feeling, I just knew how important this game was for us as a basketball team.

Hornets back home, try to regroup (AP)
Tyson Chandler had a rare game without a basket, Peja Stojakovic didn't hit one 3-pointer and David West had an awful shooting night while turning the ball over three times. The Hornets looked tense, stressed and sometimes lost on offense in their 100-80 Game 4 loss at San Antonio. Yet New Orleans coach Byron Scott had other concerns heading into Tuesday night's fifth game of this deadlocked...

Scott voted NBA coach of year
Byron Scott has been voted NBA coach of the year after leading the New Orleans Hornets to their first playoff appearance in four years. Scott coached the Hornets to a 56-26 record, a franchise high for wins. New Orleans won the Southwest Division crown and leads Dallas 3-1 in the first round of the playoffs entering Game 5 Tuesday night. This is the first time Scott has won the Red Auerbach Trophy in eight seasons as a coach, four with the New Jersey Nets and the past four with the Hornets.

Great Scott: Hornets' boss named NBA's top coach
Byron Scott has been voted NBA coach of the year after leading the New Orleans Hornets to their first playoff appearance in four years.

Paul helps Hornets eliminate Mavericks (AP)

Byron Scott accepted his NBA coach of the year award, then guided his team to the second round of the playoffs. Chris Paul had 24 points, 15 assists and 11 rebounds, and the New Orleans Hornets held on for a 99-94 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night to win their first-round series in five games.

Reports: Hornets' Scott to get Coach of Year honor
Multiple media reports say that Hornets coach Byron Scott will be named NBA Coach of the Year.

Report: Scott to be NBA coach of year
New Orleans coach Byron Scott, who led the Hornets to their first playoff appearance in four years this season, has been chosen as the NBA coach of the year, The Associated Press has learned. A person with knowledge of the award spoke with the AP on condition of anonymity because the league had not yet announced it. New Orleans sent a media advisory Monday afternoon, saying it planned a "major announcement" at 10 a.m. Tuesday following the Hornets' gameday shootaround.

Source: Scott to be NBA coach of year (AP)
New Orleans coach Byron Scott, who led the Hornets to their first playoff appearance in four years this season, has been chosen as the NBA coach of the year, The Associated Press has learned. A person with knowledge of the award spoke with the AP on condition of anonymity because the league had not yet announced it.

Mavs' Howard admits pot usage on radio (AP)
Hours before the Dallas Mavericks' biggest game of the year, forward Josh Howard went on the radio Friday to talk about something else -- his fondness for marijuana. It was quite a follow-up to teammate Jerry Stackhouse calling opposing coach Byron Scott "a sucker in my book" on local airwaves. Howard's comments are more serious because marijuana use is illegal and eligible for punishment from the...

Ousting Kidd would be ultimate payoff for Scott
Jason Kidd helped force Byron Scott out in New Jersey. With Scott's Hornets up 2-0 vs. the Mavs, Ian O'Connor says it's karma.

Hornets' Scott trusts defense vs. Mavs (AP)
Byron Scott found himself awake at 5 a.m. last week, wondering if he should make defensive changes to deal with a dynamic Dallas attack that gave the Hornets fits in both teams' regular season finale. "Once I finally got up, I told myself, 'We're going to do what we do. We've been one of the top five teams in the league in the defensive end, so why change?"' Scott recalled on Monday.

NO's Paul has spectacular playoff debut (AP)

So much for playoff experience. Chris Paul had 35 points and 10 assists in his first career playoff game Saturday night, lifting the New Orleans Hornets to a 104-92 come-from-behind victory over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of their first-round series. David West, in his first playoff game since he was a rookie reserve, scored 23 points, and Tyson Chandler had 10 points and 15 rebounds to help...

Hornets clinch Southwest Division title (AP)

David West scored 32 and Chris Paul had 12 during a decisive run in the third quarter as the New Orleans Hornets clinched the Southwest Division by beating the Los Angeles Clippers 114-92 on Tuesday night. The Hornets will have at least the No. 2 seed in the playoffs in the rugged Western Conference. Hornets coach Byron Scott earned his 300th career victory.

Hornets 0-3 since trade for Wells, James
Two new players. Three straight losses. Not the results the Hornets were hoping for when they traded for swingman Bonzi Wells and guard Mike James. Still, coach Byron Scott wasn't ready to blame a shake-up in reserve personnel for his team's current slide. "Everybody understands it's going to take a little while for those two guys to adjust, but it doesn't change the way we play," Scott said. "The main thing is coming out with much more effort and intensity. ...

Hornets won't blame trade for skid (AP)
Two new players. Three straight losses. Not the results the Hornets were hoping for when they traded for swingman Bonzi Wells and guard Mike James. Still, coach Byron Scott wasn't ready to blame a shake-up in reserve personnel for his team's current slide. "Everybody understands it's going to take a little while for those two guys to adjust, but it doesn't change the way we play," Scott said.

Hornets get Bonzi Wells from Rockets (AP)
The New Orleans Hornets have acquired swingman Bonzi Wells and guard Mike James from Houston. The Rockets are getting guards Bobby Jackson and Adam Haluska in return. Hornets coach Byron Scott said Memphis is also involved in the deal but didn't know to what extent. The deal gives the Western Conference-leading Hornets depth on their bench.

Hornets acquire Wells, James from Rockets
The New Orleans Hornets have acquired swingman Bonzi Wells and guard Mike James from Houston. The Rockets are getting guards Bobby Jackson and Adam Haluska in return. Hornets coach Byron Scott said Memphis is also involved in the deal but didn't know to what extent. The deal gives the Western Conference-leading Hornets depth on their bench.

Rivers, Scott ahead of the pack
It shouldn't be a big deal in 2008, but Doc Rivers vs. Byron Scott on the All-Star sidelines is unusual. Mike Kahn says they've earned it.

Hornets' Scott to coach West All-Stars (AP)
New Orleans' Byron Scott will direct the Western Conference in the All-Star game, becoming the first to coach the event on his home court in 13 years. Scott clinched the coaching honor Thursday night after Dallas' 96-90 loss at Boston. That meant Scott's Hornets will have the highest winning percentage in the conference among eligible coaches.

Paul rallies Hornets past Suns 118-113 (AP)

Chris Paul had a simple request for coach Byron Scott. "I said, 'Coach, let me play the whole game,"' Paul said after going all 48 minutes and sparking the New Orleans Hornets to a comeback 118-113 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night. Paul had 28 points -- including 14 in the fourth quarter -- and 10 assists, helping to end the Suns' four-game winning streak.

Do Hornets have enough depth to hold up?
The Hornets are humming along, but Byron Scott isn't happy with his bench. Mike Kahn says the coach is right to be worried.

Hornets G Paul out with ankle injury (AP)
Chris Paul missed his second straight game with a sprained right ankle when the New Orleans Hornets hosted the Orlando Magic on Monday night. Hornets coach Byron Scott said Paul was still sore and didn't put up much of a fight when told he was going to sit another game out. "If this was game seven of the playoffs he could play," Scott said.

Sprained ankle sidelines Hornets PG Paul (AP)
Chris Paul missed Saturday night's game at Minnesota with a sprained right ankle, and New Orleans coach Byron Scott said his star point guard would likely miss a couple more games as a precaution. Paul was hurt in Friday night's overtime victory at Memphis when he rolled his ankle on Pau Gasol's foot in the third quarter.

PG Paul sits with sore right ankle
Chris Paul missed Saturday night's game at Minnesota with a sprained right ankle, and New Orleans coach Byron Scott said his star point guard would likely miss a couple more games as a precaution. Paul was hurt in Friday night's overtime victory at Memphis when he rolled his ankle on Pau Gasol's foot in the third quarter. On Saturday, there was still some swelling and soreness in the ankle. "It's still tender, he has some pain.