1. Byron Scott
It has been known league wide that the former Laker’s guard has long coveted the Lakers Head Coaching position. Scott would be a coach that Kobe Bryant would respect and other players around the league would respect as well . Scott has a history of winning with a career 937-416 with two finals appearances, both losing efforts unfortunately. Scott’s last coaching gig was lack luster in Cleveland, but his stint in New Orleans was a success and showed he can have success with the right players.
2. Ettore Messina
Ettore Messina is a EuroLeague legend, but can he do it in The NBA? Messina has a brief history in the NBA, he was on The Lakers staff in 2011-2012 as a consultant for Mike Brown. Messina is a four time Euroleague Champion, four time Italian league champion, and a five time Russian league champion. He is now being linked to The Lakers job with many thinking he has nothing else to prove overseas and now would be the perfect time to make the jump to The NBA.
3. Lionel Hollins
The former Memphis Grizzlies coach has surprisingly been out of a job since being fired after going 56-25 in 2012-2013. Hollins has a record of 415-214 in his coaching career and has proven he is a worthy coach taking Memphis to the conference finals in his final year coaching The Grizzlies. Hollins is a defensive minded coach and helped get Memphis back on the right track to where they’re at today.
4. George Karl
George Karl was fired from Denver after the 2012-2013 season after being named Coach of the Year and going 57-25 in the regular season. Karl’s Nuggets teams were known for getting bounced in the first round each year, only making it to the conference finals once in 2009. Karl’s had obvious success coaching in The NBA. His teams just seem to fail getting over the hump in the first round after having successful regular seasons. Karl’s had his health issues but claims he is 100% healthy and wants back in the NBA in some capacity whether it’s coaching or a front office position for another team.
5. Derek Fisher
Fisher is currently playing for Oklahoma City, but could decide to start his coaching career after this season. Fisher was the floor general for five of The Lakers championship teams, and I’m sure he’s learned a few things along the way from the great Phil Jackson.
Dark Horse Candidates: John Calipari, Kevin Ollie, and Jeff Van Gundy
Final Thoughts:
The Lakers clearly made a mistake hiring Mike Brown and then Mike D’Antoni. Now their focus will shift on coaches that have had prior success, and someone that will draw free agents to the franchise. I think Kobe Bryant will have a small say so in which coach gets hired because, well he’s Kobe Bryant. I expect The Lakers though to not only plan for the present but for life after Kobe Bryant as well. With Bryant not getting any younger and two huge off seasons coming up, The Lakers better hope they get this coaching hire right.
