Los Angeles Lakers: 10 best shooting guards in team history

HONOLULU, HI - OCTOBER 16: Kobe Bryant #8 and Eddie Jones #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers talk against the Dallas Mavericks during a preseason game on October 16, 1996 at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1996 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

5. Byron Scott (1983-93, 1996-97)

Even after his playing career was over and he went into coaching, Byron Scott remained linked to the Lakers.

During his first (and most successful) stint as a head coach, Scott led the New Jersey Nets to the 2002 NBA Finals — where they lost to the Lakers.

Then from 2014-16, Scott coached the Los Angeles Lakers for two seasons. He oversaw Kobe Bryant‘s final season, a full-circle story considering Scott and Kobe were teammates in Kobe’s rookie year and Scott’s last year playing in the league.

Scott was a key role player on the “Showtime” Lakers. While Magic Johnson and Kareem were winning league MVPs, James Worthy was racking up All-Star nods, Michael Cooper was collecting All-Defensive accolades, and A.C. Green was working on the NBA’s “iron man” record for consecutive games played, Scott quietly averaged 16.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game from 1983-93.

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The only individual honor Scott earned was making the All-Rookie Team in 1984. But he was part of three championship teams.

If you need a go-to NBA trivia question, remember that Scott was actually the leading scorer on the 1987-88 Lakers championship team. His 21.7 points per game topped Magic, Worthy, Kareem and everyone else.

After spending time with the Indiana Pacers and Vancouver Grizzlies, Scott returned to the Lakers for one last run in 1996-97. The “Showtime” veteran helped usher in L.A.’s next championship dynasty, as that was the first season Kobe and Shaquille O’Neal joined forces on the Lakers.

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