Apr 27, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau (R) argues a call with referee Rodney Mott (71) against the Washington Wizards in the third quarter in game four of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 98-89. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
The rumors likely won’t stop anytime soon in regards to the Lakers head coach, and the latest is one of the biggest. Dave McMenamin of ESPN LA reports that the Lakers will reach out to the Bulls for permission to interview Tom Thibodeau.
The Lakers plan to reach out to the Chicago Bulls for permission to interview Tom Thibodeau, a league source tells http://t.co/8DsJGhr2Pi
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 1, 2014
Thibs is one of the biggest names in the league for head coaches, having won Coach of the Year in 2011. More importantly, he has the support and backing of superstar Kobe Bryant, who has Thibs as his #1 preference according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo.
"The Lakers have lost talent, lost stability, lost what separates winning and losing franchises. Bryant won’t pick the next coach, the way he had no input into Mike Brown and little into D’Antoni. Bryant will wish for Tom Thibodeau to free himself from Chicago. He loves Jeff Van Gundy, and shares management’s affinity for Euro legend Ettore Messina, who spent a season on Mike Brown’s staff."
Thibs won’t be the first or last person interviewed by the Lakers, who plan on interviewing a who’s who of candidates within the coming weeks. Despite not being the most experienced on the list of candidates, Thibs is certainly worthy.