Lakers: Derek Fisher and Kevin Ollie Interested by Lakers’ Coaching Vacancy
By Eric Yee
Despite turmoil within the Lakers’ organization, coaches are still “intrigued” by the opportunity to coach the Purple and Gold
Less than a day removed from the firing of head coach, Byron Scott, the Lakers are now being flooded with candidates for the vacancy.
That said, two of the latest to reveal their interest in the position are former Lakers’ player and New York Knicks’ coach, Derek Fisher, along with UCONN men’s basketball coach, Kevin Ollie.
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According to Mark Medina of InsideSocal, Ollie is “intrigued” by the job opening and the Lakers interest likely goes both ways. This is to say that the Lakers have obvious knowledge that Kevin Durant publicly supported Ollie when the Oklahoma City Thunder fired Scott Brooks just a season ago.
However, despite what Ollie’s hiring would mean on the Kevin Durant front, whether or not he is the right coach for the job still remains to be answered. Sure, he’s had success at the college level and in the NBA as a player, but head coaching at in the NBA is a whole different beast.
When it comes to Fisher, it is assumed that the Lakers will do him the favor of at least interviewing for the position, but seeing how the franchise has fared with old school ex-player coaches at the helm as of late, it will likely only be a formality.
Lakers will also talk to some college coaches. Calipari is "intriguing," but Lakers not entirely certain on him, I've been told.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) April 25, 2016
Another interesting option would be University of Kentucky coach, John Calipari, but he has yet to voice his opinion on the subject.
Next: 5 Candidates to Replace Byron Scott
This is an exciting time for Lakers fans and players alike who can finally hopefully look forward to leaving their losing ways in the past.