“Lakers head coach Byron Scott talks about the upcoming NBA season at the Lakers training faciltiy in El Segundo, CA on Tuesday, September 9, 2014. (Photo by Scott Varley, Daily Breeze) “
Lakers coach Byron Scott will stay in Southern California during the first part of the team’s five-game trip this week both in Oklahoma City (Tuesday) and Minnesota (Wednesday) to attend the funeral of his mother, Dorothy. She passed away last Sunday at the age of 72.
Scott plans to rejoin the Lakers on Thursday in time to coach games in Toronto (Friday), Brooklyn (Sunday) and Philadelphia (Monday). Lakers assistant coach Paul Pressey, will serve as the acting head coach during Scott’s absence. Scott spoke in a stoic tone reflecting on her mother’s passing before the Lakers (19-50) hosted the Philadelphia 76ers (17-52) at Staples Center. Scott also recalled her mother feeling “pretty happy” after the Lakers hired him as head coach last summer.
“She was telling me for years that it would happen,” said Scott, who played 11 of his 14 NBA seasons with the Showtime Lakers where he won three championships. “So she was a big basketball fan. She was really excited.”
What will Scott remember most about her mother?
“Her strength. Her courage,” Scott said. “My mom was terrific. I don’t want to talk about it anymore because you’re going to get me [emotional]. So let’s just leave it at that.”
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