Hornets Hire Cleamons as an Assistant to Scott

Former Laker assistant coach Jim Cleamons, who came in with the Phil Jackson regime and exited when it splintered, was hired Wednesday by the New Orleans Hornets as an assistant under Byron Scott.

Cleamons, 54, began his coaching career in 1989, Jackson’s first season with the Chicago Bulls, and he rejoined Jackson in 1999 with the Lakers.

He was not selected to be part of the staff when Rudy Tomjanovich became the Laker coach last month.

Cleamons interviewed in June to be head coach at Ohio State, his alma mater, but Thad Matta was given the job.

In Cleamons’ seven seasons as an assistant in Chicago, the Bulls won four championships. Cleamons left the Bulls to become head coach of the Dallas Mavericks from 1996 to 1998, and he reunited with Jackson in his first season with the Lakers, on board for three more championship runs.

“It’s been a wonderful five years,” Cleamons said. “Obviously, it’s time to move on, but I have no regrets. My only regret is that we won only three championships in five years, not five championships.”

-- Mike Bresnahan