After months of speculation, Byron Scott has finally been hired as the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. Scott will take on the task of an extensive rebuilding process in Los Angeles with a few new faces and most of the roster from last season returning.
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One player that intrigues Scott is veteran forward/center Jordan Hill. Scott believes Hill wasn’t used correctly under Mike D’Antoni, according to Bleacher Report’s Kevin Ding:
Scott puts a premium on defense and rebounding, and he believes Hill was underutilized as a Laker because of D’Antoni. Bear in mind how fantastic a newly acquired Hill was for Mike Brown in the Lakers’ two-round 2012 playoff run.
Despite averaging a career-high in minutes (20.8), points (9.7), and rebounds (7.4) last season, Hill wasn’t fond of playing for D’Antoni with no clear indication of what his role was with the team. Many believed that Hill was on his way out following the 2013-14 NBA season, but with D’Antoni resigning and a lucrative offer from the Lakers, the veteran elected to stay.
As of right now, Hill is projected to be the starting center for the Lakers. Newcomer Ed Davis will likely come off the bench along with Robert Sacre.
Scott will have no shortage of options in the frontcourt next season with a surplus of power forwards. Hill will join the likes of Davis, Sacre, Carlos Boozer, Ryan Kelly, and rookie Julius Randle.
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Lakers Hire New Coach Byron Scott