In the wake of Dan Hurley’s decision to turn down the head coaching job for the Los Angeles Lakers, ESPN’s Zach Lowe has made a statement that resonates with the current state of the once storied franchise.
“The Lakers job is not that great of a job. They’re a play-in team pretty much every year,” Lowe remarked on a recent episode of Get Up.
Zach Lowe: “The Lakers job is not that great of a job. They’re a play-in team pretty much every year.” pic.twitter.com/HH4IuVBT5l
— OpenCourt-Basketball (@OpenCourtFB) June 12, 2024
This candid assessment comes after Hurley, the University of Connecticut’s head coach, rejected a lucrative six-year, $70 million contract from the Lakers. Hurley’s decision to stay with the Huskies, where he has led them to back-to-back national championships, has sparked a debate about the attractiveness of the Lakers’ coaching position.
Lowe’s comments highlight the Lakers’ recent struggles and the daunting task of leading a team that has been consistently hovering around the play-in tournament spots rather than contending for championships. The Lakers, a franchise synonymous with success, have found themselves in a position where the expectations of glory are met with the reality of mediocrity.
The ESPN analyst pointed out the added stress and pressure that comes with the Lakers’ job, suggesting that it might not be worth it for someone in Hurley’s position. Lowe emphasized that Hurley is “the king of college basketball” and that the Lakers are not only a play-in team but also in a conference that is improving every year.
Moreover, Lowe expressed concerns about the Lakers’ future, noting that apart from LeBron James, who will turn 40 next season, the team has not invested in players who can carry the franchise forward. “We’re not that far away from the Lakers being a straight-up bad team for five or six years,” Lowe stated.
Despite the setback with Hurley, the Lakers are expected to continue their search for a head coach who can navigate the challenges ahead. The question remains, however, who will take on the task of revitalizing a team that has fallen from its pedestal of greatness?
