While the Lakers’ search for a new head coach is just beginning, the rumors are already piling up. With Rick Adelman and Jeff Van Gundy’s names surfacing as possible outside hires for the Lakers, Mike Dunleavy’s name joined that group this morning, according to ESPN sources.
It wouldn’t be the first time that Buss and the Lakers have called upon the elder Dunleavy (his son, Mike Jr., is a guard/forward for the Indiana Pacers) for his services. After Pat Riley’s retirement in 1990, the Lakers signed Dunleavy as the team’s head coach for the next two seasons, which included an NBA Finals appearance during the 1990-91 NBA season.
Most recently, Dunleavy was the head coach of the Lakers’ cross locker room “rival” Clippers, whom he coached from 2003 until February of 2010, when he chose to step down from his post.
He has won the NBA’s Coach of the Year award once, during the 1998-1999 NBA season, when he was with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Dunleavy has coached in a total of 1329 career games, and holds a 613-716 (.461) record as a Head Coach.
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