Los Angeles Lakers: Top Candidates To Replace Byron Scott

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Dec 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt in the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

4. David Blatt

There’s a great deal of sympathy spread across the NBA for former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt. Generally viewed as an intelligent man with a passion for the sport, Blatt was forced out of Cleveland in a Paul Westhead manner.

Sympathy plays no part in the Los Angeles Lakers needing to consider Blatt for the head coaching vacancy.

Blatt is one of the most accomplished head coaches in the history of international basketball. Within the past five years, he’s won the Euroleague championship, an Olympic bronze medal, and Euroleague Coach of the Year.

More important to the Lakers, however, is that Blatt reached the NBA Finals in his first season with the Cavaliers.

Blatt was often undermined in Cleveland, but that doesn’t make his success any less impressive. He won 53 games in his first season, and had the Cavaliers off to a 30-11 start—the best record in the Eastern Conference—at the time of his firing.

Blatt is still somewhat unproven in the Association due to his tumultuous tenure in Cleveland, but he has the mind and NBA Finals appearance to justify his consideration.

Next: Mountains of Experience

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