The L.A. Lakers are strongly considering pursuing hometown native and NCAA champion Kevin Ollie as the team's next coach, following the almost certain ouster of veteran coach Mike D'Antoni.
In leading Connecticut to the NCAA title after replacing the legendary Jim Calhoun, the thinking in La La Land is the Crenshaw native won't be afraid of the moment, whether it be the job of trying to restore one of the league's most storied franchises or manning the sidelines once only thought for the likes of Phil Jackson.
"Kevin Ollie, he was a game-changer for us," NBA leading scorer and probable MVP Kevin Durant recently told the L.A. Daily News of the season he spent with Ollie as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder. "He changed the whole culture, I think. He might not say it, but I think he changed the whole culture in Oklahoma City. Ollie's mind-set, his professionalism, every single day. And we all watched that, we all wanted to be like that and it rubbed off on Russell Westbrook) myself, Jeff Green, James Harden."
And now the Lakers to be hoping the same could hold true for their struggling franchise. The team's 55 loses this season are the most in franchise history and clearly a special touch is needed to turn the team around.
Kevin Ollie, UConn chase NCAA title
"Everybody that comes through now, there's a standard you've got to live up to as a Thunder player," Durant added. "And that started with Kevin Ollie."
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