The Los Angeles Lakers are in full swing to find a new head coach. After firing Frank Vogel for not making the playoffs 2022, the Lakers are looking at everyone to find a coach for LeBron James and co. They have already started interviewing candidates. And one such candidate has sent the fans berserk as this could lead to Damian Lillard paring up with LeBron.
With several top coaches linked to the job, the Lakers have reportedly called in Terry Stotts for an interview. Stotts was the former head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers and he led them to eight straight playoff appearances.
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He was integral in unleashing the best version of Lillard. Dame had previously called Stotts his favorite coach.
Fans go nuts after learning Damian Lillard could join LeBron James and the Lakers
The NBA Fans went crazy to learn the news that Stotts had been interviewed. They predicted that Lillard could leave the Blazers to join the Lakers if this hiring is to take shape. Here are the best reactions:
Blazers fans love Terry Stotts. We miss him and the Lakers would get an excellent coach in him
— hc6 (@herbyc06) May 7, 2022
Went on r/Lakers and they're somehow spinning this as Damian Lillard requesting a trade to the Lakers
— Unbiased NBA Fan (@nonbiasednbafan) May 7, 2022
@EricPincus @RyanWardLA do u guys know (or what's ur gut feeling/opinion) if Lakers are hoping to hire a HC before free agency? Before we know what the team will actually look like, if Bron is even back/signs extension, etc.???
— Mayo (@YouDontKnowISH_) May 7, 2022
Deserves the job. Made a shitty blazers roster into the most it could be every year he was there.
— Miguel (@Migueleezie) May 7, 2022
My mind keeps going to this guy Stotts. Add some hard nosed defensive minds with him as assistants and Lakers are in business.
— Iyke 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦 (@Biykend) May 7, 2022
Cue the Dame to the Lakers rumor
— Maximilian Marino (@maxxmarino24) May 7, 2022
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/ptIi50wZGM
— ian (@PortlandPlsWin) May 7, 2022
Weren’t they ranked 2nd offensively? I mean defense is his problem. Scoring is scoring
— Noah Fernandes (@NoahFer39948346) May 7, 2022
Yeah but that’s why Portland always got shit on in the playoffs. Double dame and give the ball to your best scorer and you’re going to beat portland
— Dame is staying (@DameStaying) May 7, 2022
Bucks play a lot of drop coverage. They give up 3s because of it. He didn’t run drop all them games. Unless I’m not remembering right. Wouldn’t of changed anything, y’all wouldn’t beat us. Now y’all are in a 3 year rebuild at the very least.
— Noah Fernandes (@NoahFer39948346) May 7, 2022
Lakers fans think any and all players and coaches all want to be in LA, and that all teams exist to get those players to LA. Most entitled fanbase in all of sports.
— Ute/Jazz 2022 (@2022_ute_jazz) May 7, 2022
@EricPincus @RyanWardLA do u guys know (or what's ur gut feeling/opinion) if Lakers are hoping to hire a HC before free agency? Before we know what the team will actually look like, if Bron is even back/signs extension, etc.???
— Mayo (@YouDontKnowISH_) May 7, 2022
lakers defense after hiring stotts pic.twitter.com/HjjKAYtUkd
— ian (@PortlandPlsWin) May 7, 2022
What do the Lakers need?
The Lakers are in dire need of a head coach that can rebuild this team. They also need someone who can handle intense pressure from the media and the fans. They are in need of someone who can deal with big personalities like LeBron and others.
USA Today via Reuters
Mar 27, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) walks off the court at the end of the second quarter of their game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
But most of all they need a coach who can design a proper system. If the Lakers decide to give Westbrook another chance, the coach will need to find a way to implement Westbrook in the lineup. This season, the Lakers were better off with Westbrook off the court. Their defensive rating was also in the bottom 10 of the league. No matter who the Lakers hire, they will have a tough job next season.
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With big names like Quin Snyder and Doc Rivers being linked, the Lakers are going all out in search of their next head coach. They have also called in legendary Phil Jackson to help them in finding a new head coach.
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It will be very interesting to see who the Lakers hire and how they will go around building this team.
