There have been a number of names linked to the Lakers vacant head coaching position ever since Mike D’Antoni resigned. However, another name can be crossed off the potential list as the LA Times’ Mike Bresnahan reports that the team will not pursue former point guard Derek Fisher:
The Lakers have decided they need a coach with previous NBA coaching experience, which means one thing for Derek Fisher: He isn’t a candidate. The Lakers think Fisher will be a solid NBA coach or executive at some point, but their initial curiosity about him has been replaced by a desire for actual experience
While this may be a disappointment to some, it shouldn’t necessarily come as much of a surprise. It had already been reported that the Lakers considered Fisher a secondary candidate due to his lack of coaching experience.
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Additionally, Fisher is being heavily pursued by Phil Jackson for the head coaching job with the New York Knicks so it was no guarantee that Fisher would come to LA, even if they went after him.
The Lakers are looking to make a turnaround sooner rather than later and are simply not willing to wait for Fisher to learn on the job. So far, every person they have interviewed has multiple years of head coaching experience and have experienced success during their tenures.
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At this time, the odds seem to favor another former Laker guard in Byron Scott, but nothing can be guaranteed at this point. With the Knicks trying to bring Fisher on board, Fisher very well may end up a head coach regardless. It just won’t be in Los Angeles.
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