Despite Success, Scott Has Critics

By Mark Heisler

June 14, 2003 12 AM PT

Times Staff Writer

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J — EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Whither Byron?

Despite taking the woebegone Nets to two NBA Finals in a row, Coach Byron Scott is still written off by local insiders, who often give assistant Eddie Jordan much of the credit.

“One of the worst-kept secrets on the Nets is how much more the players like Jordan than Scott,” wrote the New York Times’ Mike Wise. “[Jordan] is more affable, not as tightly wound. The organization does not want to lose Jordan because of how much Jason Kidd likes and respects him and because he is the perfect buffer between Scott and the team.”

Defending his former player, Miami Coach Pat Riley told Wise, “Eddie Jordan’s a good coach, don’t get me wrong. But all of a sudden, he’s become the offensive guru, and somebody else on the staff is another guru, and after a while everybody thinks Byron is standing on the sideline doing nothing....

“I read all that stuff [about players suggesting changes] after Game 1 and it bothered me.... He’s got a young team that’s afraid and when they get pushed up against the wall a little, they start pointing the finger. That’s natural. But it can become lethal if you don’t keep it in-house. I attribute a lot of it to Byron’s lack of fear. Putting himself out there to take the hit because he wants to win.”

Scott’s contract runs out next summer, although Net President Rod Thorn says he’d like to sign him to an extension.

Coincidentally, Laker Coach Phil Jackson’s contract runs out next summer. If the Lakers are looking for a coach and Scott is available, minority owner Magic Johnson is expected to make a push for his former teammate.

For Kidd’s two seasons with them, the Nets have lived in fear of this summer when he’ll be a free agent. Insiders now think he’ll stay, but the possibility remains that Friday’s game was his last here as a Net.

“Personally I don’t think he’s leaving,” said teammate Lucious Harris between games.

Said teammate Rodney Rogers: “He ain’t going nowhere [or] I’m going to have to crack him over the head.”

Minutes after a bomb threat was made against Continental Airlines Arena on Friday night, police found 10 cars on fire in a parking lot during the game.

It was not immediately clear if the fire and bomb threat were connected, said state police spokesman Steve Jones.

Associated Press contributed to this report.