Lionel Hollins might try bringing sexy back to a city near you…if you live in or near Los Angeles or Brooklyn.
The Los Angeles Lakers, who have been in a head coaching limbo for quite some time, have rekindled their interest in Hollins, according to USA Today‘s Sam Amick:
Lakers showing interest in having another meeting regarding Hollins later this week. At this rate with Nets, they may need to hurry.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) June 30, 2014
Why the rush?
Because, Nets.
After trading—that’s what it was basically, a trade—Jason Kidd to the Milwaukee Bucks, the Brooklyn Nets are suddenly in the market for a new head coach. Again. Amick says they, too, are targeting Hollins:
Jason Kidd’s days as Brooklyn Nets head coach aren’t over yet, but the internal discussion about his eventual replacement has begun.
Veteran head coaches Lionel Hollins and George Karl would be serious candidates for the position, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. Hollins, who took the Grizzlies to the Western Conference finals in 2013 and remains in the running for the Los Angeles Lakers job, is seen as the early front-runner. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of the process.
Freaking Kidd. One year into his NBA coaching career and he starts making outrageous demands. Stupid demands. Ignorant demands. His reported power play is despicable, assuming it’s true—which it probably is, because he’s Jason Kidd, a magnet for controversy.
Anyhow, Hollins makes sense for both the Lakers and Nets, two teams looking to reverse their fortunes quickly. He coached the Memphis Grizzlies to the Western Conference Finals in 2013, and is known for his lockdown defensive system, much of which it appears Dave Joerger bilked this past season.
Hiring Hollins might be doubly important for the Nets, who are in need of a stable, not-so-power-hungry figure to help pick up the pieces of their confusing dynamic in the wake of Kidd’s departure. Hollins seems to satisfy that bill—especially from a power-hungry perspective.
As the Nets plan to fly frontrunner Lionel Hollins into Brooklyn in the next day or two, I'm told Lakers are showing a revived interest.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) June 30, 2014
Though he clashed with Grizzlies management, he’s not about to create a stir after being out of the game for a year. He also isn’t as forthright in his quest for power as someone like George Karl, who is known to be seeking a dual president and coach position.
The Lakers, meanwhile, probably just want to screw with the Nets.
Chillax, I jest. I think.
They had the luxury of waiting and around doing nothing until now. All 29 other teams had a head coach, so the Lakers were free to move forward in free agency, pick a direction for their roster and then hire a coach that fits said course of action.
Revisiting Hollins suggests they’re ready to win now, or at least soon. If they were intent on rebuilding gradually—as in not through free agency—there would be more neophytes and lesser names linked to the position. Hollins is one of the biggest—if not the biggest—name out there.
If either one of these teams actually wants Hollins, they’ll likely have to act swiftly out of fear for the other inching in on their territory.
In other words, sit tight.
Buckle up.
Grab some popcorn.
Perhaps a refreshing beverage, too.
This could get interesting.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com.
