Three finalists emerge in Lakers' coaching search
More than a month since firing their head coach, the Lakers might finally be closing in on a replacement.
After initial interviews, the Lakers have narrowed down the field to three, according to multiple media reports. ESPN was first to report that Milwaukee assistant Darvin Ham and former Portland head coach Terry Stotts had moved on to the “final round” of the coaching search, while the Athletic reported that former Brooklyn head coach (and current Golden State assistant) Kenny Atkinson is also in the field.
Interviews are expected to continue in Los Angeles. While the Lakers have conducted their coaching search with deliberation — much like their last one — there could be a stronger sense of expediency with the Charlotte Hornets also connected to all three men for their open head coaching job.
The decision facing team owner Jeanie Buss, general manager Rob Pelinka and a group of trusted advisors, which now is widely understood to include former coach Phil Jackson and former team president Magic Johnson, is a massive one — a critical step in which the Lakers are eager to get back to contending status after missing the postseason for the seventh time in the past nine seasons.
SMART, CELTICS LOOK
TO MAINTAIN INTENSITY AGAINST HEAT >> Marcus Smart brought the energy boost the Celtics needed to ignite a blowout win in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference finals matchup with the Heat.
Now armed with homecourt advantage in the series, Boston will look to maintain its edge at TD Garden during today's Game 3, where it will be opposite a Miami team that is dealing with new health concerns.
A chance to lead a series is a welcome change in position for Boston, which had to play catch-up throughout its second-round series with
Milwaukee before rallying to win Games 6 and 7. The Celtics are 4-0 following a loss this postseason.
Smart, the Defensive Player of the Year, said his goal was to bring the edge he's become known for in Boston.
“Being the energy that I am, being the point guard that I am I take a lot of pressure off our guys so they don't have to force it as much,” Smart said. “So that they can be who they are.”
Sidelined with a mid-foot sprain in Game 1, Smart watched as Boston was outscored 39-14 in the third quarter on the way to a 118107 loss. In Game 2, he contributed 24 points and 12 assists in the Celtics' 127-102 victory.
He supported big nights from Jayson Tatum (27 points), Jaylen Brown (24 points) and Al Horford, who had 10 points in 32 minutes after sitting out the series opener while in the health and safety protocols.
“I just kept telling myself, Game 2 you're playing,” Smart said. “I don't care how hurt you are, you have to give it a shot.”
Boston coach Ime Udoka said the consensus after Game 1 was that the Heat out-hustled his team. Miami's schemes didn't change in Game 2, but the Celtics equaled the Heat's physicality and intensity.
“We pride ourselves on being one of the tougher teams,” Udoka said. “We knew if we matched that we'd be in good shape.”
The Celtics led 70-45 at halftime and snuffed out the Heat's attempts at a comeback by playing them even (26-26) in the third quarter. Down 25 entering the fourth, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra elected to rest his starters.