LeBron James had some kind words on social media for UConn’s head coach and current Lakers coach candidate Dan Hurley.
Back in April, James responded to a post on X from his friend and podcast co-host JJ Redick, who ironically was the frontrunner for the head coaching job for the Lakers before Hurley’s name came up, praising Hurley and his coaching staff, especially for their offense.
“He’s so DAMN GOOD!!! Along with his staff. Super creative with their O! Love it.”
He’s so DAMN GOOD!!! Along with his staff. Super creative with their O! Love it
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 19, 2024
LeBron clearly has a lot of respect for Hurley and his coaching staff. Perhaps he would be willing to take instructions from them next season, as Hurley is being aggressively pursued by the Lakers to be their next head coach. This would mark Hurley’s first coaching job in the NBA, as he has been a college coach for his entire career thus far.
Hurley started his career at St. Anthony High School in Jersey City as an assistant coach. He very quickly got an assistant coaching job at Rutgers University, a well-known name in the NCAA’s Division 1. After four years at Rutgers, Hurley got his first head coaching job at St. Benedict’s Prep School, where he coached from 2001 to 2010.
He ventured into college basketball once again, this time as the head coach of the Wagner Seahawks. After a two-year stint with the Seahawks, he became the head coach of the Rhode Island Rams, another Division 1 team. He found success with the Rams, winning the A-10 tournament in 2017.
In 2018, Hurley became the head coach of the UConn Huskies and found great success with them over the last few years. He led the Huskies to two consecutive national championships in 2023 and 2024, making him the first head coach since Billy Donovan to win consecutive NCAA Division 1 championships. His accolades make him a great candidate for the Lakers head coach position.
LeBron James Not Involved In Head Coach Decision
LeBron James has reportedly not wanted to be involved in the hiring process for the new head coach since the Lakers fired Darvin Ham. Brian Windhorst added yesterday that James told the Lakers to make the head coaching decision based on what his co-star Anthony Davis wanted.
“Let me speak to the LeBron James side of it. When this process started for the Lakers, when they dismissed Darvin Ham, they obviously spoke to LeBron about the coaching situation. From what I understand what LeBron said to them was you have to hire somebody who is for beyond just me.”
“I might be here for another year, I might be here for two years, you’ve got to make a decision that’s built around Anthony Davis, that’s built around what the Lakers need for the next decade not just what I need.”
“Certainly, his feelings on the head coach are going to be taken into account but that’s the message LeBron gave them this type of hire this type of going for this type of candidate aligns with that.”
“Secondly LeBron has praised Dan Hurley and his acumen very recently in public, especially after this podcast he did with JJ Reddick.”
Clearly, James is looking out for the best interest of the franchise rather than himself, although some fans are rightfully skeptical about how true Windhorst’s report might be.
For James, Hurley’s appointment as head coach could help another ambition of his. Hurley and his staff would be a great help in developing his son Bronny James, who is expected to be drafted by the Lakers in the second round, presumably with the 55th pick of the draft.
James could be treating the hire as a win-win situation, and looking forward to working with a head coach who found championship success in college basketball quite recently.
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