Who will replace Phil Jackson for the Lakers?

[BBallfanJ]

Ok, obviously you don't replace a Phil Jackson. You can get someone to fill his position, but you don't replace a coach who won a record 11 championships and never had a losing season.
So since Phil has emphatically stated that this would be his last season, who will the Lakers find to fill the head coaching vacancy? Could they lure Jerry Sloan out of pre-mature retirement? Who else would they consider?

[CKR13]

I think current Lakers Assistant coach Brian Shaw is a strong candidate. Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher had previously vouched for Shaw.

[Khalid80]

Since Kobe gets what Kobe wants and since he previously stated that he's on good terms with Brian Shaw and prefers him as being the next coach...So Brian Shaw it is

[frenzfries]

Either Brian Show or Tim Cone hehe.

[mvblair]

This is a tough one. For a team like Charlotte or New Jersey, it doesn't really matter who their new coach is. Whoever follows Jackson will be in charge of a championship-ready team that simply fell apart.

I don't think it will be Brian Shaw. Brian Shaw doesn't have very much experience, all things considered. He's been on the Laker sidelines for a few years, but always as a "minor" assistant coach.

Jerry Sloan would be great for any team that is willing to accept his stubbornness. He doesn't mind talking to the press, but I get the impression that he hates playing the political games with management and players. Honestly, I think he'd be comfortable being handed a bag of mismatched players that he didn't chose and coaching them rather than going out and scouting kids in the draft. But I think Sloan is done. I'm not sure why, I just don't see him coming back.

Rick Adelman is another name talked about a lot. He's an obvious choice. He knows how to put together a stellar offense and if the Lakers have anything right now, it's offensive players. Adelman is smart and has great experience coaching big stars.

Lawrence Frank isn't "big" enough for LA.

If I were in charge of the team, I think I'd go for Adelman.

[Alkaline Krogan]

This is a tough one. For a team like Charlotte or New Jersey, it doesn't really matter who their new coach is. Whoever follows Jackson will be in charge of a championship-ready team that simply fell apart.

I don't think it will be Brian Shaw. Brian Shaw doesn't have very much experience, all things considered. He's been on the Laker sidelines for a few years, but always as a "minor" assistant coach.

Jerry Sloan would be great for any team that is willing to accept his stubbornness. He doesn't mind talking to the press, but I get the impression that he hates playing the political games with management and players. Honestly, I think he'd be comfortable being handed a bag of mismatched players that he didn't chose and coaching them rather than going out and scouting kids in the draft. But I think Sloan is done. I'm not sure why, I just don't see him coming back.

Rick Adelman is another name talked about a lot. He's an obvious choice. He knows how to put together a stellar offense and if the Lakers have anything right now, it's offensive players. Adelman is smart and has great experience coaching big stars.

Lawrence Frank isn't "big" enough for LA.

If I were in charge of the team, I think I'd go for Adelman.

Definitely, Adelman is the hottest FA coach in the NBA.

[sinobball]

Definitely, Adelman is the hottest FA coach in the NBA.

Agreed. Also Kobe likes Shaw all right, but will he listen to him?

[CKR13]

Rick Adelman coaching the Los Angeles Lakers... How ironic.

[mvblair]

Rick Adelman coaching the Los Angeles Lakers... How ironic.

Yes. But he might be a good choice.

I heard Jeff Van Gundy's name mentioned in the news. I can't see that happening, though. I don't think he's a very good coach at all.

[CKR13]

Yes. But he might be a good choice.

I heard Jeff Van Gundy's name mentioned in the news. I can't see that happening, though. I don't think he's a very good coach at all.

I agree as well. Among the ranks of former head coaches in the NBA who are jobless right now, Adelman seems to be a good choice.

[Ciscorlie Horford]

Mike Dunleavy
started as a coaching after taking over Los Angeles Lakers, in replacement Pat Riley in 1991, led them to the NBA Finals in the same season, which also happened to be his first ever as a head coach, They did end up losing to The Bulls though, but who wouldn't after all Michael was Michael. Dunleavy has also always kept in touch the The Lakers Organization..

Jeff Van Gundy
A lot of people forget that Jeff Van Gundy took the Knicks to the playoffs six times in a row or that he led a last-seeded team to a NBA finals in 1999. Van Gundy is also used to dealing with super stars (Patrick Ewing, Tracy McGrady) and Egos (Yao). The Fact the he was able to do such great job with the Knicks, the toughest market in the NBA in terms of scrutiny, shows that he can performed under pressure. Plus, Having worked as an analysts for about 4 years has only widened his knowledge of basketball and let him see the game from different perspective. Van Gundy was the Knicks' last successful coach after D'Antoni came along. Having covered many lakers games Van Gundy certainlly knows The Lakers players pretty well.

Mike Fratello
a veteran among veterans, is probably not the first choice when people thing of a replacement for Jackson but He's definitely a dark horse.

Jerry Sloan
He said he was Retiring but will he really turn down the Lakers job if he gets the call? I personally think he will but you never know.

LARRY BROWN
is a really good fit here. Brown has won in every level and led an Overachieved (back then anyway) Detroit Team to win it all in 2004.
Brown's 1,327 wins and his reputation of being able;e to deal with players with bad attitude (Allen Iverson) certainly does not hurt. He would have the players' respect from the get-go, especially from Kobe.

JOHN CALIPARI
When you talk about dealing with super star attitude no other coach sticks out as much as Calapari does, which make him a really good fit for L.A., in my books the sole thing of being able to deal with Demarcuse Cousins (NBA's biggest trouble maker) for a whole season, should guarantee you a job anywhere. Is a really good fit here.Calipari had a taste of the NBA with the Nets, and did really great while at it, 43 wins and a trip to the playoff for a team field with scrubs. Calipari is able to motivate players like no one, and the fact that he has won with every college he's coached does not hurt one bit.

In February 2010, Pat Forde, writer of a regular college sports column called "Forde Minutes" for ESPN.com, recalled one of Calipari's great achievements as coach of Massachusetts:
“Calipari's greatest strength as a coach is his ability to create teams that play together. His 1992 Massachusetts team remains one of the most overachieving units the Minutes has ever seen, featuring a shooting guard with range so limited he made one three-pointer all season (Jim McCoy), a 6'3" power forward (Will Herndon), and a left-handed center who stood all of 6'7" (Harper Williams).

(this quote isn't mine so I didn't want to take credit for it )

BOB KNIGHT
Knight has one thing that no other coach in the history of basketball has, and that it that he is Bob Knight, say no more.

Mike Krzyzewski
Mitch Kuchak has being trying to persuade Mike Krzyzweksi to leave Duke for the Lakers, he hasn't had any luck so far but you never say never. In 2004
Coach K was recruited heavily by no other than Kobe Bryant himself, but we 've got to remember that in 2004 The lakers were a mess after the debacle with Detroit and no coach in his right mind would have taken the job. Rudy Tomjanovich took over the Job and ended up resigning After just 41 games.
and even then Coach K was seriously considering the move.

Doc Rivers
Rivers is by for the best free agent coach Available out there (his contract has already expired) no doubt about it. His offense is nothing like the triangle but that might actually be a good thing, since Buss has being trying to get rid off it since 2004 anyway. Rivers in his belt one NBA title, and two NBA Finals appearances. Even if he does not sign with them Lakers would pursue him just to angry Boston fans.

Rick Pitino
Pitino wasn't so lyucky when he got the chance to coach in teh NBA, but youc an't denied how good a coach he's being in College, and he never got the chance to coach a good team in the NBA anyway.

I've heard the name of Tom Izzo and being thrown into the conversation and Marc Spears of Yahoo also listed Jim Clemons as a candidate. But I don't think they have as much expirence as ones I mentioned before.

[sinobball]

ESPN is reporting that Adelman almost in

Rick Adelman coaching the Los Angeles Lakers... How ironic.

He'll lead the Lakers to the Finals next year... only to lose to the Heat, coached by Phil Jax

[Ciscorlie Horford]

Mike Dunleavy
started as a coaching after taking over Los Angeles Lakers, in replacement Pat Riley in 1991, led them to the NBA Finals in the same season, which also happened to be his first ever as a head coach, They did end up losing to The Bulls though, but who wouldn't after all Michael was Michael. Dunleavy has also always kept in touch the The Lakers Organization..

Jeff Van Gundy
A lot of people forget that Jeff Van Gundy took the Knicks to the playoffs six times in a row or that he led a last-seeded team to a NBA finals in 1999. Van Gundy is also used to dealing with super stars (Patrick Ewing, Tracy McGrady) and Egos (Yao). The Fact the he was able to do such great job with the Knicks, the toughest market in the NBA in terms of scrutiny, shows that he can performed under pressure. Plus, Having worked as an analysts for about 4 years has only widened his knowledge of basketball and let him see the game from different perspective. Van Gundy was the Knicks' last successful coach after D'Antoni came along. Having covered many lakers games Van Gundy certainlly knows The Lakers players pretty well.

Mike Fratello
a veteran among veterans, is probably not the first choice when people thing of a replacement for Jackson but He's definitely a dark horse.

Jerry Sloan
He said he was Retiring but will he really turn down the Lakers job if he gets the call? I personally think he will but you never know.

LARRY BROWN
is a really good fit here. Brown has won in every level and led an Overachieved (back then anyway) Detroit Team to win it all in 2004.
Brown's 1,327 wins and his reputation of being able;e to deal with players with bad attitude (Allen Iverson) certainly does not hurt. He would have the players' respect from the get-go, especially from Kobe.

JOHN CALIPARI
When you talk about dealing with super star attitude no other coach sticks out as much as Calapari does, which make him a really good fit for L.A., in my books the sole thing of being able to deal with Demarcuse Cousins (NBA's biggest trouble maker) for a whole season, should guarantee you a job anywhere. Is a really good fit here.Calipari had a taste of the NBA with the Nets, and did really great while at it, 43 wins and a trip to the playoff for a team field with scrubs. Calipari is able to motivate players like no one, and the fact that he has won with every college he's coached does not hurt one bit. (this quote isn't mine so I didn't want to take credit for it )

BOB KNIGHT
Knight has one thing that no other coach in the history of basketball has, and that it that he is Bob Knight, say no more.

Mike Krzyzewski
Mitch Kuchak has being trying to persuade Mike Krzyzweksi to leave Duke for the Lakers, he hasn't had any luck so far but you never say never. In 2004
Coach K was recruited heavily by no other than Kobe Bryant himself, but we 've got to remember that in 2004 The lakers were a mess after the debacle with Detroit and no coach in his right mind would have taken the job. Rudy Tomjanovich took over the Job and ended up resigning After just 41 games.
and even then Coach K was seriously considering the move.

Doc Rivers
Rivers is by for the best free agent coach Available out there (his contract has already expired) no doubt about it. His offense is nothing like the triangle but that might actually be a good thing, since Buss has being trying to get rid off it since 2004 anyway. Rivers in his belt one NBA title, and two NBA Finals appearances. Even if he does not sign with them Lakers would pursue him just to angry Boston fans.

Rick Pitino
Pitino wasn't so lyucky when he got the chance to coach in teh NBA, but youc an't denied how good a coach he's being in College, and he never got the chance to coach a good team in the NBA anyway.

I've heard the name of Tom Izzo and being thrown into the conversation and Marc Spears of Yahoo also listed Jim Clemons as a candidate. But I don't think they have as much expirence as ones I mentioned before.

http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/news/story?id=6540897

I'm a GENIUS. I called it

[Khalid80]

A nice article by Simmons on coach Phil

Also has reference to this interesting time line he refers to as the "Zen Master Timeline"