The Los Angeles Lakers hosted former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue for a second interview this past week and the 41-year-old made a “lasting impression” on the team’s brass, including general manager Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss, according to Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times:
During Lue’s interview session at the Lakers’ practice facility in El Segundo on Wednesday, a lasting impression was left on both parties involved in the discussions, according to the people. Lue, who played for the Lakers and won two NBA titles with them in 2000 and 2001, was sincere about wanting the job, the people said. He showed them offensive sets and defensive scheme during his conversations with the group.
Of all the candidates the Lakers have interviewed thus far, including Monty Williams, Juwan Howard and Jason Kidd, Lue is the only candidate that has direct ties to Los Angeles. Lue spent his first three years in the NBA with the Lakers and won a championship with them in 2000 and 2001.
Lue is also close with Lakers All-Star LeBron James, who he won a championship with as a coach during his time in Cleveland. When Lue was let go by the Cavaliers in October, James sent out a tweet in support of his former coach:
If James has any say in the coaching search, Lue should be considered the heavy favorite to land the job. However, even if the Lakers don’t plan on consulting James about his next head coach, it sounds like Lue has a decent chance of being offered the position.
