The Lakers are scheduled to interview another candidate for the head coaching job, this time a former assistant and someone linked to former coach Mike D’Antoni. Alvin Gentry, current assistant coach with the Los Angles Clippers, is scheduled to interview with Mitch Kupchak and the Lakers front office on Wednesday, according to Broderick Turner of the LA Times.
"After talking with Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak by phone last Friday, Gentry has an interview with Kupchak and vice president Jim Buss on Wednesday to talk about replacing Mike D’Antoni, according to several NBA executives who were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter."
Gentry served as an assistant under D’Antoni for the entirety of his tenure in Phoenix before taking over as head coach after D’Antoni’s departure from the Suns. Gentry led the Suns to the Western Conference Finals in his second season, which led to a memorable showdown with the Lakers. After a hard-fought series and a couple of fortunate bounces, the Lakers dispatched the Suns in six games before winning the Finals.
Gentry ran a similar system to D’Antoni, utilizing a fast-paced offense with the idea to outscore an opponent rather than focus on defense. The Lakers reportedly grew enamored with Gentry after “speaking with several coaches and executives who raved about Gentry’s offensive philosophy.”
Gentry is reportedly the fourth candidate in the running, joining Lionel Hollins, Byron Scott, and Mike Dunleavy.