Fired Byron Scott Says He Didn’t Get a Fair Shake in Cleveland

As expected, the Cleveland Cavaliers let head coach Byron Scott go yesterday. The process to find a new coach is already under way, but Scott (who was fired after three disappointing seasons) alleges that the Cavs’ front-office didn’t give him a real shot to turn things around. Per the Plain Dealer: “I’m disappointed, more than anything,’ Scott said. ‘I don’t think I got a fair shake.’ Scott was informed of his firing on Thursday morning, after the team lost 16 of its last 18 games to finish this season 24-58. That gave him a three-year record of 64-166. He said he spent several hours at the Cavs practice facility in Independence on Thursday, exchanging words, hugs and tears with players before leaving about 2 p.m. He expects to return to his home in California on Saturday, but will come back at least once to pack up his office. ‘I’ll land on my feet,’ he said. […] Scott took the job in the summer of 2010 not knowing whether LeBron James would remain. When James left for Miami, Scott was left with a major rebuilding job that was expected to take three to five seasons, and he was assured he’d have the time to complete it. But his tenure was marred by injuries to key players, including Anderson Varejao, who never played more than 31 games in any of Scott’s three seasons, and Kyrie Irving. Without Varejao as their anchor, the Cavs struggled defensively all season and were last in the league as far as opponent field-goal percentage, a key factor is Scott’s dismissal.”