Lakers Head Coach

[Fatty McGee]

Hottest job on the market in basketball this year?  Who could it be?

Self?  Calipari?  Ollie?  NBA Assistant?

Who wants to nominally lead Kobe's team?

[Hawg Red]

Don't leave out Messina.

[Fatty McGee]

Don't leave out Messina.

Saw that but I'm not buying it.  Too high profile a job for your first NBA job with no NBA experience of any kind.

[Hawg Red]

We know what their floor is -- Bryon Scott.

[hogfan1003]

Kelvin Sampson?

[popcornhog]

Jimmy Dykes?


It's gonna be like Altman all over again.

[The_Iceman]

George Karl?

Solid HC, but may not be flashy enough for L.A.

[Hawg Red]

George Karl?

Probably the best choice available.

[The_Iceman]

Kevin Ollie would be a good choice for them as well.

[trashcan maN]

Probably the best choice available.

I like S. Van Gundy. He took the Magic to the finals with Dwight Howard and a bunch of lower-end roleplayers(Rafer Alston, Rashaad Lewis, Turkoglu etc).

As a Magic fan, I'm still disgusted that they fired him.

Lionel Hollis is also a hell of a coach.

[trashcan maN]

Kevin Ollie would be a good choice for them as well.

Nearly every great coach to go from college to NBA fails. Stack that on top of the fact that Ollie only has a couple of years experience under his belt at the collegiate level. I see Ollie as being high risk/questionable reward. Would not be a good hire IMO.

[Hawg Red]

I like S. Van Gundy. He took the Magic to the finals with Dwight Howard and a bunch of lower-end roleplayers(Rafer Alston, Rashaad Lewis, Turkoglu etc).

As a Magic fan, I'm still disgusted that they fired him.

Karl took the Sonics to two Finals in a much more competitive conference. And he won COY his last season coaching. The Eastern Conference was downright awful when Van Gundy was coaching (still is, really). Karl won 50 games 5 of 6 years in Denver during the time SVG coached Orlando. 50 games in the West >>> 50 games in the East.

Not that SVG isn't a good coach (he also won 59 games with the Heat in '05). I just think Karl is the best coach on the market, though there are concerns about his ability to succeed.

[Hawg Red]

Nearly every great coach to go from college to NBA fails. Stack that on top of the fact that Ollie only has a couple of years experience under his belt at the collegiate level. I see Ollie as being high risk/questionable reward. Would not be a good hire IMO.

If there's a guy that can crossover, it's Ollie. Ollie isn't your traditional college coach as his roots are much more NBA than college. He'd have a unique ability to relate to and command respect from players at the NBA level and just all college coaches wouldn't have. Kevin Ollie has been a mentor to many current NBA players. Coaching in the NBA is as much about connecting with the players as anything.

[trashcan maN]

Karl took the Sonics to two Finals in a much more competitive conference. And he won COY his last season coaching. The Eastern Conference was downright awful when Van Gundy was coaching (still is, really). Karl won 50 games 5 of 6 years in Denver during the time SVG coached Orlando. 50 games in the West >>> 50 games in the East.

Not that SVG isn't a good coach (he also won 59 games with the Heat in '05). I just think Karl is the best coach on the market, though there are concerns about his ability to succeed.

Definitely wasn't disputing what you said about Karl; I was just throwing a couple of other names out there. Karl probably is the most established coach on the market, but he has lost in the first round of the playoffs 9 out of the last 10 years he's coached though.

[Hawg Red]

Definitely wasn't disputing what you said about Karl; I was just throwing a couple of other names out there. Karl probably is the most established coach on the market, but he has lost in the first round of the playoffs 9 out of the last 10 years he's coached though.

Yep. And that's the knock on him. And why he got fired. Also, he didn't get along too well with Carmelo. Could the same happen with Kobe?

I'm starting to talk myself out of that proclamation now.

[trashcan maN]

Yep. And that's the knock on him. And why he got fired. Also, he didn't get along too well with Carmelo. Could the same happen with Kobe?

I'm starting to talk myself out of that proclamation now.

What about Hollis?

[The_Iceman]

If there's a guy that can crossover, it's Ollie. Ollie isn't your traditional college coach as his roots are much more NBA than college. He'd have a unique ability to relate to and command respect from players at the NBA level and just all college coaches wouldn't have. Kevin Ollie has been a mentor to many current NBA players. Coaching in the NBA is as much about connecting with the players as anything.

True, Ollie isn't your typical college head coach. I think he would transition well back to the NBA.

[PorkRinds]

Let's hope it's Donovan. 

[yraciv]

Let's hope it's Donovan. 

I hope it's not him or Calipari.  If the SEC wants to ever become a Top 5 basketball conference again.  we've got to keep the good coaches.

[870hogfan]

They are looking at the Chicago Bulls head coach.

[yraciv]

They are looking at the Chicago Bulls head coach.

Would be a good hire, but I wouldn't leave the Bulls for that mess.  If the Bulls ever get Rose back that is one of the 5 best teams in the league. Lakers are going to have a complete roster overhaul, with an ailing, aging declining superstar, taking up about 40% of their salary.

[Hog-Corleone]

You all are overlooking the obvious:   FRANK HAITH!

[WPS007]

+1 watching Haith turn the Lakers into Mizzou west would be funny

[dsims2k3]

Brian Shaw

[hvsupastar]

If it's Ollie I think that's a play for Durant

[Brass Knob]

Would be a good hire, but I wouldn't leave the Bulls for that mess.  If the Bulls ever get Rose back that is one of the 5 best teams in the league. Lakers are going to have a complete roster overhaul, with an ailing, aging declining superstar, taking up about 40% of their salary.

They are not in that bad of shape long term though. Next year they Kobe and Gasol plus a high first round pick this year coming in. That is basically a free year for head coach with little to no expectations. Next year they presumably have another mid to high first round pick plus enough cap space to sign at least one and possibly two high end free agents. There are several top end players who will be available then including players like LBJ and Kevin Love. If the coach can survive next year he may be in a very good position to win after that.

[yraciv]

They are not in that bad of shape long term though. Next year they Kobe and Gasol plus a high first round pick this year coming in. That is basically a free year for head coach with little to no expectations. Next year they presumably have another mid to high first round pick plus enough cap space to sign at least one and possibly two high end free agents. There are several top end players who will be available then including players like LBJ and Kevin Love. If the coach can survive next year he may be in a very good position to win after that.

They can afford one more superstar, and certainly have open wallets to be good.  But honestly I think there is a ceiling there that is the western conference semis.  I base this all on Kobe's contract and the type of player he is currently.

[rusvegashog]

I can't see any free agent or coach wanting to coach or play with  Ko Me Bryant. I hope they hire Magic and they lose 70 by 70.

[dhornjr1]

I like S. Van Gundy. He took the Magic to the finals with Dwight Howard and a bunch of lower-end roleplayers(Rafer Alston, Rashaad Lewis, Turkoglu etc).

As a Magic fan, I'm still disgusted that they fired him.

Lionel Hollis is also a hell of a coach.

I've just about every name out there get mentioned. John Caliipari, Steve Kerr, Derek Fisher, Lionel Hollins, Byron Scott, Kurt Rambis, Kevin Ollie, etc.

I'm waiting to hear Billy Gillispie and Buzz Peterson get a mention.

[dhornjr1]

I forgot to add Tom Thibodeau, Mark Jackson, and Doc Rivers as well.

[MatCauthon]

I forgot to add Tom Thibodeau, Mark Jackson, and Doc Rivers as well.

Mark Jackson is the most realistic choice of these. If Warriors lose this series to the Clippers there is a decent chance he will get fired

[1highhog]

Yep. And that's the knock on him. And why he got fired. Also, he didn't get along too well with Carmelo. Could the same happen with Kobe?

I'm starting to talk myself out of that proclamation now.

Who DOES get along with Carmelo?

[1highhog]

I wouldn't wish the Lakers job on any really good Coach.  With the stupid contract they signed Kobe to, they are stuck for a few years to come with that load, I like rewarding a player, but the NBA is a business like any other, and that's not the way to run one.

[Ironhawg]

They might as well just name Kobe player-coach.  He's the one running the team anyway.

[pigture perfect]

I think Derrick Fisher should retire and be named HC. He's smart enough and knows the system. He is very well respected.

[Smithian]

Jon Gruden

[McKdaddy]

If it's Ollie I think that's a play for Durant

[jfred59]

Stan Heath and John Pelphrey as co-head coaches

[TomasPistola]

Jon Gruden

I hate you. I hate you for beating me to it and I'll never forgive you.

[onebadrubi]

People on Espn sat radio were mentioning fisher making a call to put his name in the hat.  I have to think that was made up, he's still playing!!

[yraciv]

People on Espn sat radio were mentioning fisher making a call to put his name in the hat.  I have to think that was made up, he's still playing!!

Can't get the position if they make a decision before your playoff run is over.  Doesn't seem that far fetched.

[rusvegashog]

^^^^Jason Kidd was playing last season. With the current in flux of former players becoming head coaches and Kerr possibly going to NYC, D Fish was the first person I thought of.

[root_hawg]

Coach K

[East Clintwood]

Bad career move.  The Lakers top players are old and tying up most of the salary $$$$, limiting their ability to rebuild the team into anything resembling a playoff contender.  Any coach they hire now will be fired long before they can rebuild into a winner.

[El Dog Hog]

Rick Adelman would be a tremendous hire. Much better than George Karl in the playoffs and did a good job in Houston and Sacramento and took the Blazers to a finals in the early 90's. Did he retire bc Minnesota blows or did he retire bc he's done? He is who the Lakers should have hired a few years ago.

[yraciv]

Rick Adelman would be a tremendous hire. Much better than George Karl in the playoffs and did a good job in Houston and Sacramento and took the Blazers to a finals in the early 90's. Did he retire bc Minnesota blows or did he retire bc he's done? He is who the Lakers should have hired a few years ago.

Adelman is 67, he retire because he has had enough. If he wanted a new job he would have just applied for it and or if he was pissed with the T Wolves he would have resigned.  I think it's very similar to the Phil Jackson retirement where once you get old and know your team doesn't have a chance to succeed you just call it a career.

[HOGINTENNESSEE]

Rick Adelman would be a tremendous hire. Much better than George Karl in the playoffs and did a good job in Houston and Sacramento and took the Blazers to a finals in the early 90's. Did he retire bc Minnesota blows or did he retire bc he's done? He is who the Lakers should have hired a few years ago.

His wife is very sick. He retired to spend more time with her.

[husker71]

why not mark Jackson???  rumor is he will be free to pursue another job soon

[TomasPistola]

Bad career move.  The Lakers top players are old and tying up most of the salary $$$$, limiting their ability to rebuild the team into anything resembling a playoff contender.  Any coach they hire now will be fired long before they can rebuild into a winner.

Um, the Lakers have 2 people on contract for next season, Kobe and Nash. Not a bad starting point for a team. Everyone else is off the books.

[Hogbody]

Should get Jerry Sloan!