As recently as the 2004-05 season, the New Orleans Hornets were an NBA joke with an 18-64 record. It looks like the coach of that team, Byron Scott, will get the last laugh. 

{mosimage}As recently as the 2004-05 season, the New Orleans Hornets were an NBA joke with an 18-64 record. It looks like the coach of that team, Byron Scott, will get the last laugh.

Fast Facts

• An all-rookie selection in 1983-84, Byron Scott averaged 14.1 points in a 14-year NBA career.

• Scott was a part of three Los Angeles Lakers championship teams.

• Scott has a 300-316 record in eight coaching seasons in the NBA, leading the Nets to two NBA Finals appearances.

-- ESPN Research

Before the Hornets take on the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series on Tuesday, Scott will be named the NBA Coach of the Year, according to multiple media reports. ESPN.com confirmed the reports on Monday night.