Is this a temporary stop for the former Lakers guard, who was fired earlier in the season as the coach of the New Orleans Hornets? There are plenty of people who believe he could be next in line if Phil Jackson decides to retire at the end of the season.

From the ESPN press release: Former NBA star and head coach Byron Scott has joined ESPN as an NBA studio analyst and will start his new role in January. Scott previously served as an ESPN analyst during the 2003-04 season.

Scott most recently served as head coach of the Hornets (2005-09), and won NBA Coach of the Year in 2008. He was head coach of the New Jersey Nets (2000-04) and, in 2001-02, led them to a franchise record 52 wins and The Finals against the Lakers. Scott led the Nets back to The Finals the following season (2002-03) against the San Antonio Spurs.

Scott was a key player for the Lakers during the “Showtime” era, playing alongside Magic Johnson, James Worthy, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He played for the Lakers for 10 consecutive seasons (1983-1993). During that time he won three NBA championships (1985, 1987 and 1988).