A Move by Krzyzewski Would Surprise Wooden

More than once during his legendary coaching career at UCLA, John Wooden was contacted by NBA teams intent on coaxing him to the pros.

So Wooden knows all about the decision facing Mike Krzyzewski, who interviewed for the Lakers’ coaching vacancy this week.

Wooden has a prediction: Such a move isn’t likely.

“If Mike Krzyzewski goes to the Lakers, I’ll be tremendously surprised,” Wooden said Friday. “If he had absolute certainty that Kobe [Bryant] and Shaq [O’Neal] would be back, then I wouldn’t be as surprised, but I’d still be somewhat surprised.”

During his 27 years at UCLA, Wooden amassed a 620-147 record, winning 10 NCAA championships in a 12-year span before retiring in 1975.

Krzyzewski has been almost as successful at Duke, with a 621-179 record in 24 seasons. His Blue Devil teams have been to the Final Four 10 times and won three championships.

Several years ago, Wooden visited Durham, N.C., and saw Krzyzewski’s program.

“I was really impressed with his practices,” he said. “I was impressed with everything at Duke.”

Krzyzewski has a lifetime contract at the university and, if the Lakers hold any advantage in luring him away, it would be in the area of salary. A source said the team has offered him a multiyear contract discussed at an estimated $8 million a year.

Still, Wooden guessed that would not be the deciding factor.

“He certainly doesn’t need the money,” Wooden said. “The only thing that could prompt anyone to do something like this is if they want a challenge.”

-- Bill Dwyre