Dan Hurley’s publicized rejection of the Lakers’ head coaching vacancy has led some to suggest that the Purple & Gold should feel embarrassed for being overlooked by the UConn coach.
In a scathing op-ed on Tuesday, Bill Plaschke of The La Times argued that Hurley turning down the job was an indictment on the Lakers’ dysfunctional front office.
“This is embarrassing,” Plaschke wrote. “This is as embarrassing as when Tyronn Lue turned them down five years ago over issues of money and control. This is almost as embarrassing as when Mike Krzyzewski turned them down 20 years ago to spend the rest of his career in Durham, N.C.”
Plaschke further wrote that it’s “humiliating” for the Lakers to be turned down by a collegiate coach who has spoken about wanting to transition to the NBA.
“This is disillusioning for a Lakers franchise that Hurley personally examined during his recent interview here, saw the best they had to offer, and said … nah,” Plaschke added.
Former NBA player Richard Jefferson felt that, although Hurley’s decision to remain in UConn was to pursue a third consecutive NCAA title, the fact remains that the Lakers were turned down.
“You’ve got egg all over your face,” Jefferson said on “NBA Today” on ESPN. “Because the Celtics are two wins away from winning a championship and you just got turned down (by) an East Coast guy saying that, ‘I don’t want to go do that. I have more in college that I have to accomplish.'”
Jefferson added that, historically, it’s “an honor” for coaches and players to represent the Purple & Gold due to the franchise’s storied history.
However, Hurley’s decision could sully some of those legacy points.
“I think it also shows there is a level of issues inside the Lakers that needs to be addressed,” he added.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the team plans to hire its next head coach before the June 26-27 NBA Draft. Woj noted that the Lakers will “circle back” to candidates they interviewed before making Hurley a six-year, $70 million offer.
