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With the initial chaos starting to subside surrounding the firing of Mark Jackson, Golden State Warriors management is now set to embark on an exhaustive search for the head coach they feel will transform them from contender to champion. With the Los Angeles Lakers also casting their net out in search of their own next head coach, California will be buzzing as the rumor cycle spins for the next few weeks or so.
- Per Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com, ESPN's Marc Stein is indicating that the Warriors may have two or three names already locked in at the top of their list -- names which should be familiar to those who have been following the Knicks and Lakers' coaching searches.
- The Warriors aren't wasting any time when it comes to heavily-coveted Phil Jackson protege' Steve Kerr, tweets Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.
- Is Mike D'Antoni looking to make the eight-hour trip up Interstate-5 to coach the Golden State Warriors. It looks so, according to Sam Amick of USA Today Sports.
5. Mike Dunleavy Sr., Former Los Angeles Clippers Head Coach
Mike Dunleavy Sr. is also on the outskirts of the Lakers coaching search, and could end up being a filler name for the Warriors' interview list when all is said and done. The 60-year-old Dunleavy's coaching record and reputation as a leader is spotty at best, posting a .461 regular-season winning percentage over 17 seasons coaching the Lakers, Bucks, Blazers, and Clippers. Dunleavy's defenders will point to those fun Blazers' teams he coached at the turn of the millennium (and pulling the Clippers into and out of respectability) as proof that Dunleavy can get the job done with the right talent.
4. Mike D'Antoni, Former Los Angeles Lakers head coach
http://youtu.be/8Ga49vPn2ao
The loud, collective gulp you hear is coming from Dubs' fans over the possibility of picking up the Lakers' perceived scraps. But, has Mike D'Antoni received a unjustified bad rap? Look at those Phoenix Suns' teams from 2004-08, and then look back at the injury-riddled mess that D'Antoni was tasked with in Los Angeles. Which Mike D'Antoni is the real Slim Mike?
The answer is dependent on what talent he has at his disposal. David Lee, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson could all benefit greatly from D'Antoni at his most inspired...yet, there are no guarantees that his confidence isn't mortally wounded after being fed to the sharks in Hollywood.
3. Lionel Hollins, Former Memphis Grizzlies Head Coach
So, here's an odd fit. The Warriors are expected to contact the former Memphis Grizzlies head coach, whose mastery of defensive switches and scheming acted as the foundation for the Grizzlies' ascent from pretender to contender. However, Hollins may be just as fiery as Mark Jackson and just as prone to being uncompromising when it comes to management. If Hollins buys what Joe Lacob is selling (and vice versa), Hollins could be the system shock the Warriors need to get over the hump. If not, Dubs fans won't let Warriors' management forget the mistake.
2. Stan Van Gundy, former Orlando Magic head coach
http://youtu.be/UqfNjKzKkh4
From a pure X's and O's standpoint, Van Gundy could be just the ooomph the Warriors need to transform themselves from isolation-dependent to a well-rounded offensive machine. The Warriors haven't reached out to Van Gundy as of yet, but he is said to have strong backing from many members of the team's executive-tier. Add in the fact that Van Gundy's defense-to-offense philosophy won't act as too sharp of a departure from what the players on the team are used to, and you have the makings of an almost too good to be true union.
1. Steve Kerr, Former Chicago Bulls Sharpshooter
It's Steve's job if he wants it, reports Sports Illustrated -- the question is, does he want it? Steve Kerr will be fielding overtures from his old boss Phil Jackson in New York, along with the Los Angeles Lakers in their search to replace Mike D'Antoni. The Warriors have the advantage when it comes to talent currently on the roster, and will have to use that as their primary tool to woo Kerr away from the allure of the other two big-market jobs that may be calling his name.
Other Candidates: Fred Hoiberg (Iowa State head coach), Kevin Ollie (UConn head coach
Additional Reading:
Lakers Coaching Target: Mark Jackson
Mark Jackson Fired