In a story by USA Today's Sam Amick, the Lakers reportedly did not believe that it was “a necessity to have a coach” before the recent 2014 NBA Draft. Amick also explained that the franchise has already interviewed six former head coaches for the vacant coaching spot: Byron Scott, Lionel Hollins, Mike Dunleavy, Kurt Rambis, George Karl and Alvin Gentry.
Hollins is considered to be the favorite for the Houston Rockets gig, via ESPN's Marc Stein; Rambis is rumored to join Derek Fisher and Phil Jackson as an assistant for the New York Knicks, according to B/R's Howard Beck; and Gentry recently joined Steve Kerr’s new staff for the Golden State Warriors.
So who’s the right fit for the empty Lakers position? Los Angeles is coming off their worst season in franchise history since moving to the city. Before the draft, not only did the Lakers lack a coach, but they also lacked much of a roster as well...with only three players under contract for next season: Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Robert Sacre.
Yet, somehow, there’s still a general mood of confidence surrounding the team.
"We're still going to pitch that this is a championship franchise and that's going to be our goal," said Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, according to ESPN.com's Dave McMenamin. "As long as Kobe is on this team, we have to believe that we can contend for a championship."
With that in mind, then, Kupchak may not need to look much further than the same guy who helped win three NBA Championships while playing for the Lakers: Byron Scott. In fact, Scott’s final year in the NBA (and with the Lakers) was Kobe Bryant’s rookie season, in which Scott provided a mentorship role for the young star.
"I think the Kobe relationsh...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
