NBA Rumors: Byron Scott and 8 Coaches Who May Be on the Chopping Block

As the 2010-2011 NBA season winds down, fans start to look back to the start of the year when experts and analysts made their predictions.  Some may look back favorably, while others may not.

It has been a year of epic trades, player-coach battles and, in some cases, coaching changes.  This season, there have already been three coaching changes in the NBA.  In two of those cases, the coaches replaced were Hall of Famers.

Given those occurrences, most recently the abrupt resignation of Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, I took a look at the standings.  Believe it or not, there are some teams out of the playoffs who could be due for a coaching change. Some coaches have just had bad luck, and others are just plain bad.

Here are eight of the worst cases.

No. 8: Scott Skiles, Milwaukee Bucks

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MILWAUKEE, WI - DECEMBER 06: Head coach Scott Skiles of the Milwaukee Bucks complains to a referee during a game against the Miami Heat at the Bradley Center on December 6, 2010 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Heat defeated the Bucks 88-78. NOTE TO USER: Use

Now, let's just get this out in the open right now.  Scott Skiles is not by any means a bad coach.  In a career that has included stints in Phoenix, Chicago and now Milwaukee, Skiles's teams have consistently made the playoffs or contended for them.  This season, however, has been different.

Leading scorer Michael Redd's recovery from knee surgery has been slow and despite his imminent return, the Bucks have more or less dropped out of contention.  With a starting lineup that features up and coming guards Brandon Jennings and John Salmons, as well as tough Aussie center Andrew Bogut, the Bucks have underachieved.

That being said, even if they do go on a Cinderella run over the last month and a half of the season, don't be surprised if team management decides to go in a different direction and replace Skiles.  It's unlikely, but could happen.

No. 7: Flip Saunders, Washington Wizards

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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 26: Flip Saunders head coach of the Washington Wizards questions an officials call against the Dallas Mavericks at the Verizon Center on February 26, 2011 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees th

Before taking over the helm in Washington, Flip Saunders had successful coaching stints in Minnesota and Detroit.  He had been to the Conference Finals four times and had plenty of playoff experience, and his rapport with young players made him the perfect candidate for rebuilding the Wizards.  Nearly two years in, the dream has become a nightmare.

Saunders's first season in D.C. ended with a 26-56 record.  This year, the Wizards' record stands at 15-44.  Yes, they are a very young team without much in terms of veteran leadership, but I doubt that experts expected the season to be this bad.

Again, the chances of Saunders being let go are slim.  Still, with the team currently on a six-game losing streak, don't be surprised if team management gets impatient and moves in a different direction.

No. 6: Monty Williams, New Orleans Hornets

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 03: Head coach Monty Williams of the New Orleans Hornets looks on against the Philadelphia 76ers at New Orleans Arena on January 3, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by do

Currently, the New Orleans Hornets are the sixth seed in the Western Conference.  Thus, if Monty Williams is indeed let go, it will not be for his job performance.  Rather, it would be if the NBA chooses to contract the Hornets.

The team is currently under NBA control.  Basically, they are without an owner and the uncertainty surrounding the team is becoming a distraction.  Unless a buyer surfaces and keeps the team in The Big Easy, chances are that the NBA will get rid of the team completely and Williams will be out of a job.

It would be a shame for the start of what is sure to be an illustrious coaching career.

No. 5: Byron Scott, Cleveland Cavaliers

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Byron Scott of the Cleveland Cavaliers watches on against the Charlotte Bobcats during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on December 29, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowled

Overall, Byron Scott is a decent coach.  He has been to the NBA Finals twice, and generally utilizes his players well enough to turn them into playoff bound squads.  This year has been different.

After coaching stops in New Jersey and New Orleans, Scott agreed to become the head coach of the newly Lebron-less Cleveland Cavaliers.  It was understood that this season would be a rebuilding one, but there was no indication that it would be this bad.

This season, the Cavaliers set a record with a 26 game losing streak.  Nobody on the team has lived up to his potential.  Their record currently sits at 11-48.  That's a winning percentage of .186!

Unless newly acquired point guard Baron Davis helps the team improve somewhat down the stretch, don't be surprised if Dan Gilbert gets impatient and cuts Scott loose.

No. 4: Paul Westphal, Sacramento Kings

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OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 21: Head coach Paul Westphal of the Sacramento Kings argues a call during their game against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on January 21, 2011 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees

Like Byron Scott did in signing with the Cavaliers, Paul Westphal knew that he was entering a rebuilding project in going to Sacramento.  Needless to say, his tenure there has been marred in malaise.

Despite guard Tyreke Evans' Rookie of the Year season being a bright spot, the Kings went 25-57 in Westphal's first season.  This season, they are 15-43 and in second-to-last place in the Western Conference.  To add insult to injury, Westphal has constantly clashed with rookie center DeMarcus Cousins.

With a dwindling fan base, little money and team ownership looking to move to Anaheim, it may be time for a fresh start.  Westphal is a good coach, but is he worth the drama?

No. 3: Jay Triano, Toronto Raptors

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LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 5: Head coach Jay Triano of the Toronto Raptors looks on during the game with the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on November 5, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by

After Chris Bosh left Toronto and took his talents to South Beach, the Raptors understood that 2010-2011 would be a rebuilding season.  Long story short, this season has been a disaster.  After going 40-42 last season, the team's record is currently 17-44.

I understand that the team just lost its best player and leader, but it's Jay Triano's job as head coach to mold the remaining players so that one of them can step up into that role.  This year, that just hasn't happened.

Andrea Bargnani has provided consistent offense, but little defense.  The rest of the starting five are impatient young guns who need a leader.  They may get one next season...in the form of a new coach.

No. 2: Kurt Rambis, Minnesota Timberwolves

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PHOENIX - DECEMBER 15: Head coach Kurt Rambis of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on December 15, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 128-122. NOTE TO USER: User

For a team loaded with young and talented players, the Minnesota Timberwolves are so bad to the point where they're painful to watch.  This is longtime Los Angeles Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis' second season as head coach of the team, and his tenure has been beyond unimpressive.  Last year, the team finished with a 15-67 record.  Currently, their record is at 14-47.

I'm sorry, but with good young talents like Kevin Love and Michael Beasley in the starting lineup, there is no reason why the team should be this bad.  They'd still be bad at full potential compared to the rest of the Western Conference, but this is just ridiculous.

This is a clear case of the coach being at fault.  Rambis just doesn't have the personality for running a young and rebuilding team, and it's time to make a change.

No. 1: John Kuester, Detroit Pistons

This past weekend, rumors surrounded the Detroit Pistons.  Apparently, multiple players didn't show up to the team shootaround in "protest" of head coach John Kuester.  That night, in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Kuester only used six players as his team lost 110-94—those who "protested" sat on the bench.  The highlight of the game was Kuester getting ejected and as he exited the court, some of his players laughing at him.

That alone is a sign of the worst thing that could happen to a coach.  Kuester has essentially lost his team.  He has clashed with players all season, notably Rodney Stuckey and Richard Hamilton, and word around the league is that even players he hasn't fought with can't stand him.

The Pistons were once a storied franchise.  They aren't that many years removed from winning the NBA Finals.  Now, thanks to Kuester, they have become a joke.  If team management wants to win, they'll replace him immediately.

Watch the video to the left if you're skeptical.