In a surprising turn of events, Dan Hurley has emerged as the leading candidate for the Los Angeles Lakers’ head coaching position. This choice has garnered widespread approval from key figures in the basketball community. In April, LeBron James expressed his admiration for Hurley following an interview between the UConn coach and JJ Redick, another candidate for the Lakers job. “He’s so damn good!!! Along with his staff. Super creative with their O! I love it,” James tweeted enthusiastically.
Adding to Hurley’s endorsements, Lakers legend Magic Johnson voiced his support for Hurley after Game 1 of the NBA Finals during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Johnson highlighted Hurley’s impressive track record and his potential fit with the Lakers.
“I want the coach to be Hurley,” Johnson declared. “If we can sign him, I think it works for both. It works for Coach Hurley, who won back-to-back NCAA championships with Connecticut, so he has a championship background. He’s great with offense and defensive strategy. I think that the players will respect him. And he’s tough.”
Johnson emphasized the importance of accountability and physicality for the Lakers. “The Lakers have to have somebody who will hold them accountable. And also, we have to play physical basketball. Denver will always beat us unless we become a much more physical team. So we’ve got to get more physical. That’s why these two teams are playing in the Finals—Boston and Dallas—because they’re mentally and physically tough. We’ve got to get both mentally and physically tough.”
Despite no longer holding an official position in the Lakers’ front office, Johnson’s close relationship with team owner Jeanie Buss ensures his opinions carry weight. His endorsement of Hurley adds further credibility to the Lakers’ move towards securing Hurley as their next head coach.
The Lakers are scheduled to meet with Dan Hurley on Friday to discuss a potential partnership. While Hurley has yet to decide whether he will leave Connecticut, attracting him to Los Angeles will undoubtedly require significant negotiation. However, with major Lakers figures rallying behind him, Hurley seems poised to transition from college basketball’s pinnacle to the NBA.
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