Laker fans in the know, may have had Kevin Ollie on their Laker head coaching list. However, he denies any interest in the position.
Don't Believe everything you hear!! Only meeting I have is with my team on Thursday at Gampel.. We are preparing everyday for Greatness!!
— Kevin Ollie (@CoachKevinOllie) May 6, 2014
Still, the rumor started on Twitter when Bill Reiter released this statement:
Source tells me Ollie plans to stay at Connecticut but wants to just listen to Lakers/have conversation about the opening.
— Bill Reiter (@sportsreiter) May 6, 2014
Things became even more interesting when Donny Marshall said there were 3-to-5 NBA teams interested in Kevin Ollie, but didn’t say exactly which teams they were on FoxSportsWest.
Donny Marshall - Kevin Ollie's close friend & UConn trustee - says 3-5 NBA teams are interested & Ollie will listen: https://t.co/6U4D4MNdAt
— Bill Reiter (@sportsreiter) May 6, 2014
He is a strong head coaching candidate because of his recent NCAA Championship stint with the UConn Huskies. Being a head coach at UConn is where his heart is, but like an NBA free agent, he may explore options that he may not have considered to be possible. He is well known around the NBA and a respected veteran by players that have played beside him.
"Ollie made an impression on Durant and the rest of the team. “He changed the whole culture, I think. He might not say it, but I think he changed the whole culture in Oklahoma City.” – CBS Philly"
Head coaches are leaders for the team, but great head coaches lead on a culture of winning. Pat Riley did so with his hard practices and hard-nosed defenses. That has translated to playoff and championship success with the Lakers, Knicks, and Miami Heat. Phil Jackson did the same for the Chicago Bulls and the Lakers, and is trying to follow Pat Riley’s route as President of the New York Knicks.
Perhaps, Kevin Ollie can do the same for the Lakers. Let’s hope he pursues the journey.