The Los Angeles Lakers are searching for a new head coach with multiple candidates in the running for arguably the toughest job in basketball. Not only do you have to coach the Lakers, you have to coach the Lakers with LeBron James.
Paul Pierce got real on the daunting responsibility of the Lakers’ job, explaining why a conventional coach would struggle in that environment.
“It’s not good to be rebuilding in LA, not for the Lakers. Yeah, you’re going to be famous, meet celebrities, and get into all the restaurants, right at the top of the list. If you’re interested in that, it’s a good job. But if you’re looking for longevity and all the moving parts that come along with being the Lakers coach, behind the scenes with Jeanie. You still have to deal with Klutch Sports… It’s not a job any coach who’s been around the block will want to take. If you want to rebuild with the Lakers, you’re going to get so much scrutiny.”
Pierce then discussed the positives of the Lakers’ job, but it seemed to be a tongue-in-cheek compliment as he joked about the candidate getting fired after two seasons and spending the rest of the contract playing golf.
“But on the flip side, when I really think about it, it might be a great job. You might sign a five-year deal, get fired after two, and then go golfing at the Bel-Air Club, just sitting at home getting paid. It might be a good job to go Golf every day, sit at home for three years, and get paid.”
(Starts at 1:40)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiqnpgVT5eA
Pierce is not singling out any names, but it’s widely expected that JJ Redick will be taking the job sometime soon. The Lakers seem to be sold on his coaching talent and can trust his relationship with LeBron James.
Even though LeBron and his team maintain he hasn’t had any input on their coaching search, the Lakers will keep in mind that Redick and LeBron are co-hosts of a podcast together.
The last three coaches LeBron had on the Lakers were all summarily dismissed after falling short of expectations. If Redick or a different fresh-faced coach walks in, who’s to say that fate doesn’t await them too?
Byron Scott Thinks Redick Shouldn’t Take The Lakers Job
Paul Pierce eloquently explained why the Lakers coaching job can be a double-edged sword. His references to golfing would interest Redick, a self-proclaimed golfer. But Redick was warned by Lakers legend Byron Scott about taking the job as well.
“JJ has no coaching experience whatsoever. And it’s hard jumping in that seat as a first-time head coach. I look at some of the other players who played in this league… Steve Nash is a guy that comes to mind who played in the NBA, never had any coaching experience, and it didn’t work out real well in Brooklyn for him, so it’s a tough tough job and it’s really even tougher for guys who’ve never had any coaching experience.”
Redick has never been a head coach at any professional level of basketball. He’s been growing a media empire since before his retirement in 2021, but the 39-year-old is renowned as a great mind in the sport. The Lakers reportedly view him as the next coming of Pat Riley.
If the Lakers’ are true in their assertion, they need to back Redick through tough times instead of giving up on him when the tide turns rough. The franchise doesn’t have a great track record of backing its coaches, even when they win a title like Frank Vogel did. Hopefully, if Redick is named as the head coach, he has a more successful tenure.
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