Lakers News and Rumors: Los Angeles Set to Interview Alvin Gentry, Lionel Hollins for Coaching Vacancy
The Los Angeles Lakers are scheduled to interview Alvin Gentry and Lionel Hollins for their head-coaching vacancy, reports confirmed.
The LA Times reported on Monday that Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak had a phone conversation with Gentry on Friday and is scheduled to meet with the current Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach on Wednesday.
Sources indicated that the Lakers were intrigued about the possibility of naming Gentry as Mike D'Antoni's replacement after several league coaches and executives praised his offensive philosophy.
Gentry, who is also a candidate for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Utah Jazz coaching vacancies, is credited for the Clippers' offensive improvements this season, helping the team average a league-best 107.9 points per game.
The Clippers also finished third in field-goal percentage at 47.4 percent, and second in assists with 23.8 dimes per game during the regular season.
Gentry previously the Miami Heat, Detroit Pistons, Clippers and Phoenix Suns. He had his best days as a coach in Phoenix, leading the Suns to the 2010 Western Conference Finals wherein they lost to the Lakers.
Meanwhile, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reported that the Lakers are also planning to interview former Memphis Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins later this week.
Hollins, who led the Grizzlies to the Western Conference finals and conference semifinals in two of his last three years in Memphis, emerged as one of the candidates because the Lakers are reportedly intrigued with his winning track record.
Hollins, who is also known for his strong leadership skills and defensive mentality, had 56 wins in his last season with the Grizzlies last year. He led Memphis to the conference finals wherein they lost to the San Antonio Spurs.
Both Gentry and Hollins have no ties or history with the franchise, unlike the first two candidates who were interviewed by Kupchak and Lakers vice president Jim Buss.
Mike Dunleavy, who coached the Lakers from 1990-1992, and Byron Scott, who spent 11 seasons with the team as a player, are also being considered for the coaching vacancy.
Among the candidates, Scott is being considered as an early front-runner because of his strong ties with the organization, but the upcoming interview with Hollins and Gentry could turn the tide soon.
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