American former professional basketball player and current head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers thinks Kobe Bryant is too competitive to become a coach.
But he would like to use Bryant as his "assistant coach." Aside from that, Scott does not see Bryant joining himself, Pat Riley, Magic Johnson, Derek Fisher, Brian Shaw and Michael Cooper as former Lakers turned NBA head coaches after he retires.
Scott said "He's too tough. He would probably be a whole lot more demanding than Pat Riley, myself and guys like that. It would be tough. Plus, he would expect guys to play like him, to have that type of passion that he has for the game. And to have the love for the game that he has and to have that commitment."
He added "Guys today just don't have that like he does. He's just a dying breed. I don't think he would bode well if he wanted to coach."
On the other hand, Bryant had never voiced out his desire to be a coach once he retires from playing. It seems like his interest lies in being a businessman.
Scott is not surprised at all that Bryant is now at the top of his game. He described Bryant as a person who has talent, work ethic and inquisitive nature.
He said "He had so many questions. It wasn't hard to take him in. I enjoyed talking to him. Even [when he was] 18 years old, I was 36, I told him, 'I'm old enough to be your daddy.' It was just a connection that we had that seemed to grow and grow and grow."
Bryant thinks that Scott helped him and Fisher built up a foundation for their success. He said "n absolute professional. It's no accident if you look at the young guys on that team and how we turned out with myself and Derek Fisher. We had an incredible veteran."
Scott said that since he and Bryant go a long way back, it makes it easier for him to coach the star. He said "It helps big time. I know I can go to him. He knows he can go to me. We know we're on the same page because we know what this organization is about."
And Bryant seconded "We see things the same way. When we have discussions it's really checking and discussing."
