Veteran NBA coach Mike Dunleavy Sr. has come from nowhere to emerge as a candidate for both the New York Knicks and L.A. Lakers coaching jobs, according to ProBasketBallTalk.com.
The website reports Dunleavy Sr. has already met with Knicks president of basketball operations Phil Jackson and in L.A. is viewed as a "short-term move aimed at trying to win now while Kobe Bryant remains on the roster."
Still somewhat reeling after being rejected by top choice Steve Kerr, who instead landed in Golden State after reportedly receiving a lowball offer from Jackson and the Knicks, Dunleavy Sr.'s relationship with Jackson dates back some four decades when both were NBA players.
ProBasketBallTalk adds the 68-year-old Jackson remains intent on hiring a coach he deeply feels he can trust as part of a plan to make certain his philosophies become a longtime part of the Knicks culture.
The son of Bulls sharpshooter Mike Dunleavy Jr., the veteran coach has more than 17 years of NBA coaching experience with four different teams, including a previous stint with the Lakers, where he led the team to a berth in the 1991 Finals against Jackson's Bulls.
With his longest stint being with the Clippers (2003-10), Dunleavy Sr. has posted an overall 613-716 record, leading seven teams to NBA playoff berths. His best season came with the Lakers in 1990-91 at 58-24.
The Knicks and Jackson are also rumored to be considering Derek Fisher, Mark Jackson, and Kurt Rambis, while the Lakers have also hinted at being interested in Tom Thibodeau should he decide to leave Derrick Rose and the Bulls.
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