Keep in mind that the Los Angeles Lakers could’ve had Phil Jackson this whole time.
Take Kevin Ollie off the list of potential Lakers coaches after he agreed in principle to a five-year, $15 million contract extension to stay at UConn, Yahoo! Sports reported Monday, citing sources. Although the Lakers reportedly never made a formal inquiry into Ollie, the reigning NCAA champion coach was a lead candidate for several NBA vacancies, especially the Cleveland Cavaliers’.
Coincidentally, both the Cavs and Lakers employed Mike Brown within the last two years. It didn’t go so well for either club.
Ever since Jackson “retired” as coach in 2011, the Lakers’ coaching situation has been nothing short of a mess. The team had a chance to make things right in the winter of 2012, reportedly coming within hours of rehiring Jackson to replace the ineffective Brown. Instead, the Lakers stiffed Jackson for Mike D’Antoni.
Injuries to Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard and Steve Nash doomed D’Antoni, who resigned in April after the Lakers decided not to extend his contract. Whoever agrees to coach the Lakers next will be the team’s fourth coach since Jackson, who now runs the New York Knicks’ front office.
Photo via Twitter/@BallOver_All
