CRI听力:Byron Scott to Boost Defence as New Lakers Coach

Byron Scott watching a game closely. [Photo: Titansports]

Byron Scott's appointment as the new head of the LA Lakers has been met with mass approval by a team.

Among those giving praise was retired NBA legend Magic Johnson:

"We're excited, we wish we could put on a uniform for you and help you, but we're here supporting you and we will support you throughout, and again, congratulations to the Laker organization. You chose the right guy."

Scott has his work cut out for him to return the 16-time NBA champions to the giddy heights their players and fans once took for granted.

He spelled out an early plan for the team while sitting with three former Lakers greats, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Jamaal Wilkes:

"The main thing I have to do right away is establish ourselves as a defensive basketball team.　These three gentlemen that are sitting in the front row, The first thing that Magic taught me when I got into this league is that we win championships by defending every single night. That's the one thing that we can control. Offenses are going to come and go, you're going to miss shots, you're going to make shots, but the one thing you can control every single night is your effort on the defensive end."

Scott, who was the NBA's coach of the year in 2008 added that he's especially looking forward to working with Kobe Bryant, the pair having developed a close relationship since they played together for the Lakers during the 1996-97 season when Bryant made his debut in the league.

35-year-old Bryant only made six appearences for the team as he suffered from injury last season however.