Los Angeles Lakers add Lionel Hollins to coaching staff
The Los Angeles Lakers have continued to round out their coaching staff, hiring Lionel Hollins as an assistant coach.
The Los Angeles Lakers have already made quite a few changes in both the front office and on the sidelines this offseason.
Adding to the transitions, Los Angeles has now added Lionel Hollins to their coaching staff.
On June 4, Adrian Wojnarowski announced on Twitter that Hollins would be joining the staff as an assistant staff.
He is joining the recently hired head coach, Frank Vogel and assistant coach, Jason Kidd.
The Lakers are hiring Lionel Hollins as an assistant coach, league sources tell ESPN. Hollins is the all-time winningest coach in Memphis and also led Brooklyn to the playoffs. Hollins joins Jason Kidd on Frank Vogel’s new staff.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 4, 2019
Hollins spent 10 years in the league as a player, and another 24 years coaching collegiate and professional basketball. His last coaching role was as the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets.
In his first season, he led the Nets to the first round of the playoffs. He started with a 4-year contract but was fired during his second season after starting off the season 10-27.
Prior to Brooklyn, Hollins was the head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies. As the franchises most successful head coach, Hollins and the Grizzlies had three straight playoff appearances.
Additionally, he coached the franchise not only to their first playoff win but also their first playoff series win.
Jason Kidd has agreed to join Vogel's Lakers staff in a prominent assistant coaching role, league sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/ZrQRWfq1US
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 11, 2019
Hollins will work with new head coach Frank Vogel, who was announced on May 11. Vogel was successful as the head coach of the Indiana Pacers, appearing in five of six playoffs during his tenure. With a similar pattern to Hollins, Vogel was fired from the Orlando Magic after coaching back to back losing seasons.
Also new to the Lakers staff is new assistant coach Jason Kidd. The Lakers were adamant that Kidd be on the staff, including as part of the 3-year contract to Vogel.
In 2013, Kidd took on his first coaching role as the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets. He spent one season with the Nets before becoming the head coach for the Milwaukee Bucks. Replacing Kidd as the Nets head coach was none other than Lionel Hollins.
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With Vogel’s success as a defensive coach, and Kidd and Hollins’ experience going to the playoffs, this should be a quality hire by the Lakers.