Doc Rivers
With his contract with the Celtics expiring at the end of this year. Rivers could win another ring with that team’s greatest rival.
(AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
Derek Fisher
The Lakers’ point guard has begun to show his age on the floor but he would be a terrific leader from the bench. Bonus: He’s already intimately familiar with the playbook.
(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Jerry Sloan
This legendary coach has finally wound down his multi-decade stint in Utah. Perhaps a scenery change could do him and the Lakers good.
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Magic Johnson
Despite one brief failed attempt at coaching, this Lakers legend still has a lot of wisdom to impart and he could light a fire under some slouching superstars.
(AP Photo)
Mike Krzyzewski
The iconic Duke coach has been courted by the NBA for years and has a great working relationship with Kobe. Seems like an ideal fit.
(Photo by Jaime L. Mikle/Getty Images)
Larry Brown
One of the few NBA coaches who was able to take down Jackson in the Finals (2004 with the Pistons), we’re sure Brown would love to grab one more ring before he rides off into the sunset.
(Photo by Brian A. Westerholt/Getty Images)
Brian Shaw
The odds on favorite to replace Jackson, is his assistant coach and former Laker, Brian Shaw. He could bring some youthful vigor to the job.
(Photo by Ray Tamarra/Getty Images)
Kareem Abdul Jabbar
The NBA’s all-time scoring champ and beloved Laker has made no secret of his desire to get into coaching. Who better to break in with than the team he led to several titles?
(Photo by Dr. Billy Ingram/WireImage)
Mark Jackson
One of the most underrated point guards of all time, Mark Jackson has won praise for his incisive NBA analysis and commentary. We think he’d make a dynamite coach.
(Photo by Leon Bennett/WireImage)
Jack Nicholson
Sure he has no basketball “experience” but he’s watched more Lakers games from the sidelines than perhaps anyone in history.
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
With last night’s devastating playoff defeat to the Dallas Mavericks, the Phil Jackson era for the Los Angeles Lakers has come to a close. Now the speculation has begun about who should take over the reins of this storied franchise. Here are some of our suggestions for who can lead Kobe Bryant and co. back to the promised land.
