djohn2oo8
01-13-2011, 04:43 PM
with eleven championships, the best playoff winning percentage of all-time and the most wins in franchise history, phil jackson's shoes will be very tough to fill following this season.
But with that said, there are few jobs in professional sports more attractive than head coach of the los angeles lakers, especially with the current state of the team. With kobe bryant, pau gasol, andrew bynum, lamar odom, ron artest, and steve blake each locked up for at least two more seasons after this year, the team's veteran core will be intact and likely contending for yet another championship despite being under new management.
Inheriting a roster this talented is every coach's dream, and there will be many candidates interested in the position once it becomes available this summer. While the lakers are focused on this season, the team has started planning for life after jackson so that they're prepared come this offseason.
While some believe that jackson may be interested in returning next season should the schedule be significantly shortened due to a lockout, the lakers aren't crossing their fingers. Jackson has made it clear that this is his final season, both privately and publically, and health issues nearly kept him from returning this year.
When jackson announced his return last offseason, the prepared statement read, "it'll be the last stand for me, and i hope a grand one." the lakers will make every effort to keep jackson on the sideline next season, but have other, more realistic, options as well.
Several scenarios have been floated out as to how the team would fill the void left by the legendary coach.
One possibility is signing a high profile coach that has recently been fired elsewhere. byron scott refers to the los angeles lakers' gig as his "dream job" and should he be relieved of his duties in cleveland, there's no question he would be on the first plane to los angeles. Scott grew up in california and spent eleven years with the lakers during his playing career. While the cavaliers signed him to a three-year contract over the summer, the team's struggles could lead to his firing which would allow him to pursue the job he has been eyeing since his coaching career started taking off.
After being fired by the charlotte bobcats earlier this season, larry brown is another name that has surfaced. At seventy-years-old, there are questions whether or not brown wants to continue coaching, but the opportunity to take over a championship-caliber team could help make his decision easier.
However, the most realistic option is turning the franchise over to lead assistant brian shaw. After nearly accepting the head coaching job in cleveland, shaw withdrew from consideration which led to scott's hiring.
Many league sources believe that jackson and the lakers would feel the most comfortable handing shaw the keys to the franchise because there wouldn't be a philosophical shift or drastic changes. Shaw is comfortable with the personnel and has developed close relationships with many of the players in his eleven years with the organization. Shaw, like scott, also grew up in california and played for the lakers throughout the course of his career.
Should shaw get the job, don't be surprised if he fills out his staff with fellow assistants and possibly fellow oakland native and good friend gary payton, according to league sources. This option would provide the lakers with the most familiarity as they try to pick up where they left off with jackson as perennial contenders.
The lakers will have a decision to make this summer and while the replacement will have huge shoes to fill, the talented roster and winning culture in los angeles should help the next head coach get off to a running start.
read more nba news and insight: http://www.hoopsworld.com/story.asp?story_id=18457#ixzz1arlmjsdz
But with that said, there are few jobs in professional sports more attractive than head coach of the los angeles lakers, especially with the current state of the team. With kobe bryant, pau gasol, andrew bynum, lamar odom, ron artest, and steve blake each locked up for at least two more seasons after this year, the team's veteran core will be intact and likely contending for yet another championship despite being under new management.
Inheriting a roster this talented is every coach's dream, and there will be many candidates interested in the position once it becomes available this summer. While the lakers are focused on this season, the team has started planning for life after jackson so that they're prepared come this offseason.
While some believe that jackson may be interested in returning next season should the schedule be significantly shortened due to a lockout, the lakers aren't crossing their fingers. Jackson has made it clear that this is his final season, both privately and publically, and health issues nearly kept him from returning this year.
When jackson announced his return last offseason, the prepared statement read, "it'll be the last stand for me, and i hope a grand one." the lakers will make every effort to keep jackson on the sideline next season, but have other, more realistic, options as well.
Several scenarios have been floated out as to how the team would fill the void left by the legendary coach.
One possibility is signing a high profile coach that has recently been fired elsewhere. byron scott refers to the los angeles lakers' gig as his "dream job" and should he be relieved of his duties in cleveland, there's no question he would be on the first plane to los angeles. Scott grew up in california and spent eleven years with the lakers during his playing career. While the cavaliers signed him to a three-year contract over the summer, the team's struggles could lead to his firing which would allow him to pursue the job he has been eyeing since his coaching career started taking off.
After being fired by the charlotte bobcats earlier this season, larry brown is another name that has surfaced. At seventy-years-old, there are questions whether or not brown wants to continue coaching, but the opportunity to take over a championship-caliber team could help make his decision easier.
However, the most realistic option is turning the franchise over to lead assistant brian shaw. After nearly accepting the head coaching job in cleveland, shaw withdrew from consideration which led to scott's hiring.
Many league sources believe that jackson and the lakers would feel the most comfortable handing shaw the keys to the franchise because there wouldn't be a philosophical shift or drastic changes. Shaw is comfortable with the personnel and has developed close relationships with many of the players in his eleven years with the organization. Shaw, like scott, also grew up in california and played for the lakers throughout the course of his career.
Should shaw get the job, don't be surprised if he fills out his staff with fellow assistants and possibly fellow oakland native and good friend gary payton, according to league sources. This option would provide the lakers with the most familiarity as they try to pick up where they left off with jackson as perennial contenders.
The lakers will have a decision to make this summer and while the replacement will have huge shoes to fill, the talented roster and winning culture in los angeles should help the next head coach get off to a running start.
read more nba news and insight: http://www.hoopsworld.com/story.asp?story_id=18457#ixzz1arlmjsdz