Poll: With Mike D’Antoni out, who should be the next Lakers coach?
Speculation is brewing on who might take over for embattled Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni after the team announced his resignation.
With the resignation of Coach Mike D’Antoni on Wednesday, speculation is rampant about who the next coach of the Lakers will be. Who do you think it will be? A look at some of the candidates:
• John Calipari. Current job: University of Kentucky. NCAA record: 548-171, one title. NBA record: New Jersey Nets (72-112). Calipari’s success at Kentucky -- including the Wildcats’ title in 2012 with Anthony Davis -- keeps his name in the NBA coaching rumor mill.
• Billy Donovan. Current job: University of Florida. NCAA record: 486-189, two titles. After winning titles in 2006 and 2007 with Florida, Donovan signed a contract to coach the Orlando Magic -- but backed out of the deal before coaching a game, returning to the Gators.
• Lionel Hollins. Last job: Memphis Grizzlies, 2012-13 (56-26). NBA record: 214-201. Hollins has a better reputation than D’Antoni as a defensive-minded coach, although the Grizzlies didn’t bring him back last summer despite a run to the Western Conference finals.
• George Karl. Last job: Denver Nuggets, 2012-13 (57-25). NBA record: 1,131-756. A former North Carolina point guard, Karl has a strong relationship with Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak, a fellow Tar Heel.
• Steve Kerr. Last job: Phoenix Suns general manager, 2007-10. Kerr is currently an NBA analyst for TNT and rumored to be a front-runner for the New York Knicks job.
• Mike Krzyzewski. Current job: Duke University. NCAA record: 983-306, four titles. The Lakers have previously pursued “Coach K,” and may again.
• Ettore Messina. Last job: Lakers assistant coach under Mike Brown. Messina is coaching CSKA Moscow, trying to win the Russian national championship.
• Kevin Ollie. Current job: University of Connecticut. NCAA record: 52-18, one title. In addition to being a strong communicator, Ollie has a solid relationship with Oklahoma City Thunder all-star Kevin Durant -- a possible free-agent target for the Lakers down the road.
• Doc Rivers. Current job: Clippers coach. NBA record: 1,133-688. If Donald Sterling decides to sue and refuses to sell the team, who knows what Rivers might do. Perhaps stay in the same building and just change locker rooms?
• Byron Scott. Last job: Cleveland Cavaliers, 2012-13 (24-58). NBA record: 416-521. If the Lakers want to keep it in the family, they can look to a guy who won three titles during the Lakers’ Showtime era.
• Jeff Van Gundy. Last job: Houston Rockets, 2006-07 (52-30). NBA record: 430-318. Van Gundy has been a color commentator for ESPN, ABC and TNT, but his name is usually mentioned when an NBA coaching job opens up.
• Stan Van Gundy. Last job: Orlando Magic, 2011-12 (37-29). NBA record: 371-208. The Lakers defeated Dwight Howard, Van Gundy and the Magic in 2009 to win their 15th NBA title. Stan is the older brother of Jeff Van Gundy.
So, there are the top candidates. Who would you pick? Vote in our poll below and let us know.
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