The Los Angeles Lakers, who have been without a head coach since Mike D'Antoni vacated his post on April 30, definitely feel that urgency. Fresh off one of the worst seasons in franchise history, L.A. enters this summer of question marks with no obvious roads back to relevance.
Settling on a new head coach might seem to illuminate a path to prominence, but the Lakers aren't in the business of settling. They've opted for a deliberate, calculated approach to this marathon search that's far too often viewed from a sprinter's standpoint.
There is no reward for being the first to hire a front man. Potential prizes are only handed out to those fortunate enough to get it right.
For the Lakers, there is no ticking clock surrounding this process. Nothing more than the simple understanding that their next decision could bring ramifications felt by the franchise for years:
That wide coaching net, according to ESPN Los Angeles' Dave McMenamin, has already resulted in five formal interviews—Mike Dunleavy, Kurt Rambis, Byron Scott, Alvin Gentry and Lionel Hollins—plus informal discussions with a sixth candidate, George Karl. According to ESPN's Chris Broussard, Scott, who played 11 seasons for the Lakers, has had a pair of meetings with L.A.'s front office.
Sources told Bleacher Report's Howard Beck that Rambis, Gentry and Scott have become the focus of this search. McMenamin has this pegged as a four-person race between Dunleavy, Scott, Gentry and Hollins.
The Lakers, it seems, may not be far enough along in the process to identify a clubhouse leader. Still, they appear to have selected some must-have traits in their next head coach.
All five of the reported interviewees, along with Karl, have head coaching experience at the NBA level. Rambis has the least of all...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
