With Terry Stotts out in Portland, this is the first time Damian Lillard can play an active role in his team’s head coaching search.
Among a sea of candidates, that apparently includes Jeff Van Gundy, Chauncey Billups, Jeff Van Gundy, Mike D’Antoni, and Michigan’s Juwan Howard, Dame has his own candidate in mind: Lakers assistant Jason Kidd.
Here’s the report by Chris Haynes:
Damian Lillard’s top preference to become the next head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers is Los Angeles Lakers assistant Jason Kidd.
“Jason Kidd is the guy I want,” Lillard told Yahoo Sports on Friday night.
Lillard intends to have significant input on the next hire, sources said.
A quick look at social media will tell you that Blazers fans aren’t feeling good about that news. Not only does Kidd have a lousy track record as head coach, but he has been accused of domestic violence by his wife in the past.
Needless to say, Kidd isn’t really anyone’s first choice — this is, except Dame’s.
They seem to have some kind of connection, and Kidd’s playing resume as a point guard and floor general are likely things that Lillard admires.
Whatever the case, the Blazers have a big decision to make, that will have drastic implications in the direction of their franchise.
