Topic: With Kobe Bryant stating that he hopes the Lakers ask for his opinion on who the next coach should be, we wonder how much Kobe’s opinion should matter in to the front office.
Context: Ever since Mike D’Antoni resigned as head coach, rumors have been flying about who the next coach of the Lakers will be. Coaches young and old, experienced and new have all been linked to the position, with no one emerging as a clear favorite at this point.
The Lakers are at a crucial point in the franchise right now. The team has missed badly on their last two hires, Mike Brown and Mike D’Antoni. And with Kobe Bryant on his last two years, he is looking to win immediately before his career ends.
Bryant has been a part of this franchise for his entire career, and has brought the Lakers five championships. As such, he has the respect of the franchise and the front office. But how much should that matter?
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Bryant said that he hopes to be asked his opinion on the Lakers head coach. This is a front office decision, but you definitely want the approval of your star player as the coach will have to work with him daily.
But that star is also on his last legs, and the Lakers will need someone who can keep this team at the top after Bryant has played his last game. They can’t afford to sacrifice the future for Bryant.
Verdict: We went to Twitter to ask the Lakers Nation faithful, how much should Kobe Bryant’s opinion matter when making the decision for the team’s next head coach? Here are some of the responses:
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation Quite a bit IMO, they are still trying to build around him, if he's not buying the coach idea others won't either.
— Arok (@ArokGW) May 10, 2014
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation A little. He's your guy for now, but also have to look at PK yrs (Post-Kobe). Get input, but he is not final say.
— Evan (@stazmatix) May 10, 2014
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation It shouldn't. He's here for one more year. No disrespect but there has to be a transition away at some point
— Justin Ratti (@justinratti1) May 10, 2014
@TheeCoreyH @LakersNation Respect a Legend so his opinion should matter period.
— Purp&G(16)Ld_ 16_Duh (@LakersOrNothin) May 10, 2014
@TheeCoreyH his opinion shouldn't even be an option. He's a player, not a decision maker for the franchise
— Robert Corralejo (@rcorralejo91) May 10, 2014
Once again, a relatively split verdict from Lakers Nation, and there are some very good points being made.
On one hand, Kobe Bryant is the Lakers. He has done so much for this organization, and he is the star player. He should at least be able to have some say in the man who will lead him in his final years.
On the other hand, regardless of how much he has done for the team, Kobe is still a player, not a GM, President, or any other front office decision maker. If you give him a say in this, where do you draw the line?
In my personal opinion, it is a very thin line to go down. Bryant should have his voice heard, but it should simply be one in a large group of voices. As a player, it is not in his job description to choose the coach.
While I appreciate everything Bryant has done for the Lakers, the front office has to begin preparing for life after Kobe, and that starts now.
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