Dan Hurley’s publicized rejection of the Lakers’ head teaching emptiness has led some to counsel that the Purple & Gold ought to really feel embarrassed for being ignored by the UConn coach.
In a scathing op-ed on Tuesday, Invoice Plaschke of The La Instances argued that Hurley turning down the job was an indictment on the Lakers’ dysfunctional entrance workplace.
“That is embarrassing,” Plaschke wrote. “That is as embarrassing as when Tyronn Lue turned them down 5 years in the past over points of cash and management. That is nearly as embarrassing as when Mike Krzyzewski turned them down 20 years in the past to spend the remainder of his profession in Durham, N.C.”
Plaschke additional wrote that it is “humiliating” for the Lakers to be turned down by a collegiate coach who has spoken about eager to transition to the NBA.
“That is disillusioning for a Lakers franchise that Hurley personally examined throughout his latest interview right here, noticed one of the best they needed to supply, and stated … nah,” Plaschke added.
Former NBA participant Richard Jefferson felt that, though Hurley’s determination to stay in UConn was to pursue a 3rd consecutive NCAA title, the very fact stays that the Lakers have been turned down.
“You’ve got obtained egg throughout your face,” Jefferson stated on “NBA Right this moment” on ESPN. “As a result of the Celtics are two wins away from successful a championship and also you simply obtained turned down (by) an East Coast man saying that, ‘I do not need to go do this. I’ve extra in faculty that I’ve to perform.'”
Jefferson added that, traditionally, it is “an honor” for coaches and gamers to symbolize the Purple & Gold as a result of franchise’s storied historical past.
Nevertheless, Hurley’s determination may sully a few of these legacy factors.
“I feel it additionally reveals there’s a degree of points contained in the Lakers that must be addressed,” he added.
In line with ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the group plans to rent its subsequent head coach earlier than the June 26-27 NBA Draft. Woj famous that the Lakers will “circle again” to candidates they interviewed earlier than making Hurley a six-year, $70 million supply.
