Kobe’s Wishes For The Next Laker Coach

Kobe Bryant still has some say about the future of the franchise.  Two years left on his contract means things need to move quickly to become championship caliber.  He has a few ideas on who he wants to be the next Laker coach.

"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.Bryant has long admired Byron Scott, but there’s a different ex-Lakers guard who could go much further to regenerate the franchise’s culture and hold the insight into getting the most out of Bryant’s final two seasons: Derek Fisher. – Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo Sports"

It’s an interesting list, considering former Lakers that have played beside him throughout his career are on the list.  Byron Scott and Derek Fisher are deeply heeled in Laker history.  There is no talk about George Karl, Jerry Sloan, John Calipari, Quin Snyder, NCAA Championship coach Kevin Ollie, and Mike Dunleavy Sr.

Management has to decide what is best for the franchise, but it doesn’t hurt to get input from the franchise player.  Sixteen years of experience of NBA life allowed Kobe Bryant to come across many faces, as well as who they are as people and professionals.

I’m still holding out for Messina because of his offensive philosophy, but any one of the coaches on his list can make it, even Derek Fisher.

Is there anyway we can land Thibodeau with Messina and Fisher as assistants?

That would be a start of a dream off-season.