Le Basketbawl

Back in the days when the New Orleans Hornets were located in Charlotte Hornets Team Owner George Shinn was a very controversial figure. He had polarized the community had the reputation of being a loose cannon and eventually moved the team out of town. During the last few years Shinn has receded into the background as he allowed his basketball people to do their jobs unimpeded. This would result in the Hornets winning the NBA Southwest Division Title and their coach Byron Scott was named coach of the year.

Fast forward to November 12, 2009 and you find a totally different situation in the “Big Easy“ as the Hornets got off to a disappointing 3-6 start to the NBA season. Thursday the “New Orleans Times Picayune” reported that the Hornets have decided to make a change firing head coach Byron Scott and replacing him on the bench with the team’s General Manager Jeff Bower. Former Hornets head coach Tim Floyd will be Bowers lead assistant.

Bower has been with the team since 1995 working his way up the ranks from advance scout to the General Manager position. He took over as G.M. during the 2005-2006 season. Reportedly Shinn thanked his former coach for his time at the helm but said he believed Bower was the best man to run the team. The Hornets owner said Bower give his club “our best opportunity to reach our goals this season.”

The New Orleans Hornets have a lot of problems but their head coach was not among them. Scott should have no problem getting a job with a quality team; if it were up to New York Vinnie Knicks Team President Donnie Walsh would already have Scott on the horn. Bad off-season moves and injuries have led to the bad Hornets start. Byron Scott had the ability to turn the team around again. We will soon find out if Jeff Bower has those same abilities.