Finding the next Los Angeles Lakers head coach simply may be a matter of convincing a certain candidate that he looks better in royal blue than in Carolina blue.
Jim Buss under pressure to hire next Lakers coach
The Los Angeles Times is reporting that the Lakers have added North Carolina Tar Heels coach Roy Williams to their list of candidates to replace Mike D'Antoni, who resigned late last week.
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak played for the Tar Heels from 1972-73 through 1975-76. He has remained close to the Tar Heels program, according to the Times.
Los Angeles first approached Williams after Phil Jackson's first exit from the franchise in 2004. At the time, Williams had just completed his first season at North Carolina after leaving the University of Kansas.
Williams went on to win his first two national championships - in 2005 and 2009 with the Tar Heels.
Jerry Buss' death not why Lakers' fortunes have gone south
The Lakers hired Rudy Tomjanovich, but he resigned halfway through the 2004-05 season, citing health issues. Jackson returned and became the franchise's conquering hero by adding two more titles in 2009 and 2010 - which may have contributed to team owner Jim Buss' decision to go with D'Antoni over Jackson in 2012.
It is possible Buss may have felt either slighted by Jackson getting too much credit for past success or threatened by Jackson's stature if he were to win another championship and command too much power in the organization.
Now, a decade after Jackson's initial departure, the Lakers could be courting the now 63-year-old Williams.
He joins a list of notable coaches that include George Karl, Jeff Van Gundy, Kurt Rambis, Byron Scott, John Calipari, Kevin Ollie and - if the Lakers can get permission for an interview, the Chicago Bulls' Tom Thibodeau.
Buss is facing pressure to make a splash with his next hire, after announcing in January that he would step down as director of basketball operations if the Lakers are "contending" again in three or four years.
What coach not named Phil Jackson can return the Los Angeles Lakers to prominence? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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