LeBron James reportedly prefers Doc Rivers in the Lakers’ head coaching position. Many players agree with LeBron and are in favor of appointing Rivers as the head coach, while the front office is inclining towards younger candidates like Milwaukee Bucks’ assistant Darvin Ham.
The Lakers have been looking for a suitable candidate for the head coaching role for some time now. Coach Frank Vogel was fired after the Lakers failed to qualify for the play-in tournament this season.
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The Lakers organization had short-listed three candidates to be Vogel’s successor and repeat his 2020 feat. They include former Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts, Golden State Warriors‘ assistant Kenny Atkinson, and Darvin Ham of the Milwaukee Bucks.
NBA fans react to LeBron James showing a preference for Doc Rivers
The Lakers interviewed former Blazers head coach Terry Stotts on Tuesday. However, reports hinted at a rift in opinion between LeBron James and the Lakers’ front office.
ESPN Sources: The Lakers interviewed former Blazers coach Terry Stotts for franchise’s head coaching job in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Two more assistants will meet with LA in near future — Golden State’s Kenny Atkinson and Milwaukee’s Darvin Ham.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 25, 2022
The front office is interested in a young and fresh mind who can bring stability and consistency to the team. While ‘King James’ and many players want a tried and tested veteran who can produce immediate results.
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Fans had something to say about James influencing front office decisions once again. They had some funny and wild reactions.
LeGM at it again
— caleb (@easysnipxr) May 26, 2022
Lakers still letting bron make GM decisions?😭
— 3️⃣5️⃣☀️ (@itzkdjr) May 26, 2022
https://twitter.com/tanstan11/status/1529852116969332736?s=21&t=Yu9hb2UN2PQ7G0eQk37Bgw
If Lebron want doc get doc
— 💔💔💔 (@bronisthegoat6) May 26, 2022
Didn’t they learn from last year to stop letting bron make decisions 😂😂
— Ovo (@Jyy51321817) May 26, 2022
Why would Lebron want the most overrated coach of all time
— MeeZy D Ghosts (@MeeZySeeGhosts) May 26, 2022
What we doing LeGm
— ASN (@ASNx305) May 26, 2022
LeGM I am praying
— Matt (@INMEnterprises) May 26, 2022
https://twitter.com/goldenjawn13/status/1529855449511641091?s=21&t=Yu9hb2UN2PQ7G0eQk37Bgw
PLEASE LeGM
— Jay🏁💜💚 (@jayisELIETE) May 26, 2022
Doc Rivers as a head coaching option for the Lakers
It is hardly surprising that LeBron would prefer Rivers to the other options available. None of the three short-listed candidates have a championship pedigree.
Terry Stotts took the Portland Trail Blazers to the Western Conference finals in the 2018-19 season. But the Golden State Warriors swept them in a lopsided matchup.
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On the other hand, Doc Rivers has the ability to transform the Lakers into a legitimate title contender. Moreover, he has the experience of leading a roster with three big stars to a championship win. Like he did in 2008 with the Boston Celtics.
The Lakers’ head coaching position is supposed to be a dream job for any basketball coach. But after Juwan Howard of the Michigan Wolverines refused the position, candidates started to have second thoughts.
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Doc Rivers still has three years left in his 76ers contract. Do you think he will be interested in coaching the Lakers? Let us know in the comments.