The Lakers need not go out and throw cash at the first guy who sounds appealing. It’s still arguably one of the most important moves a team must make in the wake of failure. Choosing a coach can set the direction of the franchise, and with a core group that made three consecutive finals appearances together, it can cause major problems if done so hap-hazardly.
Before they make any trades or free agent signings, selecting a coach has to be the Lakers No. 1 priority, and by doing so sooner rather than later, it will give the Lakers the focus they need by clearing away a major cloud of uncertainty.
The Lakers coach must also be committed to defense. This team is beyond capable offensively, but as we see each and every year — if a team’s defense isn’t a top asset, they will not win the championship. In times of offensive struggles, games and even playoff series can be won with pure, hard-fought defense. It simply takes effort, and for the Lakers, it apparently takes a lot on the line for them to exhibit this mentality, because realistically, the last game in which they played a full 48-minutes of impeccable defense, was during Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics.
The suitors are in place for the Lakers to select, and I don’t envision the crop getting any more appealing. With that being said, Lakers management must make its decision. During a time where complacency has been running strong amongst the team, it’s time for a newfound sense of hunger and focus to be instilled in the Purple and Gold of Tinseltown.