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Los Angeles Lakers: Ranking the 7 greatest coaches since 1980

By Eric Hirsch

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 22: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers slaps hands with Head coach Frank Vogel of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half in Game Three of the first round of the playoffs between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers at the AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 22, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 22: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers slaps hands with Head coach Frank Vogel of the Los Angeles Lakers in the second half in Game Three of the first round of the playoffs between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers at the AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 22, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images – Los Angeles Lakers
Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images – Los Angeles Lakers /

Top 7 Los Angeles Lakers head coaches since 1980: 4. Paul Westhead

Westhead is part of an elite club of NBA head coaches to win titles in their first season (other recent members include Steve Kerr, Tyronn Lue, and Nick Nurse), which he did in 1980. After the Lakers parted ways with Jack McKinney just 13 games into the season, Westhead took over and righted the ship. Behind the standout play of perennial All-Star, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, and rookie, Magic Johnson, the Lakers went 60-22 and earned the 1-seed in the Western Conference. And just like that, “Showtime” was born.

The Los Angeles Lakers needed only nine games to take down the Phoenix Suns (Conference Semi-Finals) and the Seattle Super Sonics (Conference Finals) to set up a matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers in the Finals. After taking a 3-2 series lead, Abdul-Jabbar suffered a sprained ankle which forced him to the sidelines.

Westhead famously employed the 6′ 9″ Johnson, his usual point guard, at the center position in the pivotal Game 6. The 20-year old recorded 42 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists as the Lakers claimed the championship on Philadelphia’s home court. This title ignited the Showtime Lakers era, which resulted in four more championships in the 80s.

Westhead helped the Lakers to a stellar 57-25 record the following year but the season ended in a disappointing first-round exit at the hands of the Houston Rockets. The internal frustrations boiled over in November 1981 when Westhead and Johnson had a falling out, which resulted in Westhead’s sudden dismissal.

Though his tenure was cut shorter than expected, no one can deny Westhead’s contributions and success as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. He twice guided the Lakers to the playoffs, won a championship, and helped set in motion the Lakers dynasty of the 1980s.

BEST SEASON: 

1979-1980: 60-22; 1-seed, Won NBA Championship (4-2 over Philadelphia)

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