The Troubled Helm of the Los Angeles Lakers: A Negative View Within the NBA
The once-hallowed halls of the Los Angeles Lakers have been cast in a shadow of negativity, with the position of head coach becoming an unenviable and largely undesirable one within the NBA. Multiple factors have contributed to the unfavorable perception of the Lakers coaching position:
Instability and High Turnover:
Over the past decade, the Lakers have had a revolving door of head coaches, with seven different coaches leading the team in that span. This instability has created a sense of uncertainty and a lack of continuity.
Pressure from Ownership and Fans:
The Lakers have a passionate and demanding fan base that expects the team to compete for championships every year. This relentless pressure can be overwhelming for coaches, who are held to a high standard of success despite limited roster flexibility.
Lack of Autonomy:
Head coaches in the Lakers organization have often been micromanaged and limited in their decision-making abilities. Front office interference and ownership involvement have hindered the independence and effectiveness of coaches.
Roster Deficiencies:
In recent years, the Lakers have struggled to maintain a competitive roster, particularly after the departure of Kobe Bryant. The lack of top-tier talent has made it difficult for coaches to achieve sustained success despite their best efforts.
Unfavorable Media Attention:
The Lakers are one of the most scrutinized teams in the NBA, and their head coach is constantly under the microscope. Negative media coverage and fan criticism can take a toll on a coach’s morale and motivation. As a result of these factors, the Lakers head coaching position has become a daunting and potentially career-limiting one. Top coaches in the league have expressed reluctance to accept the role, knowing the challenges that lie ahead. This perception has further weakened the team’s ability to attract and retain qualified candidates. The Lakers organization must address the underlying issues that have made the head coaching position so unappealing. Creating a more stable environment, providing coaches with greater autonomy, and building a competitive roster are crucial steps towards restoring the once-proud legacy of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Many outsiders would consider the head coaching job with the Los Angeles Lakers as a challenging job, but still one of the premium jobs in the NBA. That may not be true for those within the league.
Many outsiders would consider the head coaching job with the Los Angeles Lakers as a challenging job, but still one of the premium jobs in the NBA. That may not be true for those within the league.
CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander revealed Monday that the Lakers’ job, at least within NBA circles, is “lowly regarded” and not seen as one of the ideal landing spots. The biggest problem is seen as finances, with Lakers ownership lacking the deep pockets of some other NBA owners.
view more
As we wait for Dan Hurley’s decision to stay at UConn or leave for the Lakers, one piece of context I found interesting while talking to a few NBA sources this weekend is how low the actual Lakers job in NBA circles is rated and where it stands.++versus other organizations.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) June 10, 2024
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
“That job with the Lakers is not good. It’s not good,” a source told Norlander anonymously. “Anyone who isn’t in the NBA may not realize it, but the perception of the court is better than what the court is. It’s not a good job. It’s tough, the ownership group doesn’t have any cash and their front office hasn’t proven they can build a roster. In the future, you can’t even build three superstars because of the new CBA. Take LeBron (James) and (Anthony Davis) off that team, look at that roster. The team is terrible.”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Lakers did win a title in 2020, but have struggled to even make the playoffs since, despite James and Davis. The new coach will be the Lakers’ third signing since James’ arrival in 2018, and their recent offer to Dan Hurley was disappointing to some despite being heralded as huge.
Presumably the Lakers will turn their attention back to the likes of James Borrego and JJ Redick after Hurley waived them. Perhaps it makes sense, though, that a former championship coach seemingly turned them down in favor of another job.
