Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
It's Over. Now Hire a Coach
The worst Lakers season in histroy is mercifully over. And now it's time to move forward. LAist will be regularly chyming with our advice throughout the offseason. We've already suggested the Lakers hold on to Kobe Bryant, trade Lamar Odom and Caron Butler if they can (made more difficult by Odom's shoulder surgery), and bring in a new head coach to replace Frank Hamblen.
But today we'll focus on the last point, because it all starts with leadership.
It is commonly believed that the Lakers need a "big name" coach. It is after all a big time franchise. But we disagree. Successful Laker coaches like Pat Riley and Mike Dunleavy weren't the biggest names available, and they did fine. But also, there aren't big names available.
Support for LAist comes from
LAist doubts Phil Jackson is coming back to LA, especially after his tell-all book. While our first choice is Larry Brown, we doubt that will happen. Brown will either stay in Detroit or retire. Regardless, the Lakers can't wait a month and a half to see how far the Pistons go just to gauge Brown's interest.
Flip Saunders is an excellent coach, but we see him picking Cleveland over LA. After that, who else is there? No big names. Don Nelson and Chuck Daily are retired. Lenny Wilkens hasn't won in a long time. Rudy Tomjanovich was hired last year because he was the only big name available, and he turned out lousy.
Now, Mitch Kupchak seems to have an affinity with college coaches. His flirtation with Coach K is well-known, but he also reportedly reached out to Tom Izzo and fellow UNC-alum Roy Williams. LAist doubts either of those two fine college coaches would leave a game they dominate, especially considering the track record of college coaches in the NBA. LAist would heartily endorse though another Carolina coach in Dean Smith for the job, if he's up for it. No head coach in college has produced more NBA stars than Smith, and few were closer to their players. In an era of basketball where players are seemingly less mature, maybe a class act like Dean Smith would be perfect. Alas, that seems unlikely.
Then there is Kurt Rambis, who coached the team in 1999, and would have stayed on had Phil Jackson not wanted to come to LA. Rambis is more than ready for an NBA head coaching job again, and the Lakers gig just might be the right fit.
We also like another ex-Laker coach in Del Harris. Yes, that's right. Del Harris. The Lakers clearly need a good X's and O's coach. And someone who can oversee a rebuilding process. They need an older coach with gravitas who can control Kobe to some extent. And Del Harris was there at the start of Kobe's career. He also rebuilt the Lakers once before, so maybe he can do it again. If Harris (now a Mavericks assistant) is interested, the Lakers should give him serious consideration.
One other name we'd like to throw out there is Eric Musselman. Now a Memphis Grizzlies assistant, Musselman is one of the brightest young coaches in the game. LAist loves what he did at Golden State, and he was fired far too soon there. He's a rising star. The Lakers might be considered out of his league at this point, but in reality, the Lakers are in the lottery.
Two other names that you might hear batted around are Paul Silas and Maurice Cheeks. LAist has always like Paul Silas, and he might be a decent fit. But the fights he picked with Jeff McInnis and some of his bench hurt the team. As for Cheeks, we're skeptical of any guy dubbed a players coach to come in. Cheeks did overachieve in Portland, but is he really the right guy to control Kobe? We're not so sure.
Support for LAist comes from
Who do you think should coach the Lakers?
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago. -
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
Best of LAist