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Mark Jackson might be the best option for the Los Angeles Lakers

By Jack Simone

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Mark Jackson of the Golden State Warriors gestures from the bench in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on December 29, 2013 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Mark Jackson of the Golden State Warriors gestures from the bench in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on December 29, 2013 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /
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Mark Jackson, Los Angeles Lakers
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 29: Head coach Mark Jackson of the Golden State Warriors gives instructions in the game against the Los Angeles Clippers in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 29, 2014 in Los Angeles, California, Mark Jackson might be the best option for the Los Angeles Lakers NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

After their extremely disappointing season this past year, the Los Angeles Lakers parted ways with head coach Frank Vogel. It was a messy breakup, to say the least, but now the Lakers will be searching for a new leader this summer.

The Lakers are reportedly receiving help from former head coach Phil Jackson in their search, and recently, they’ve interviewed guys such as Darvin Ham, Adrian Griffin, and even Terry Stotts.

However, one of the more intriguing options they’ve explored is former Golden State Warriors head coach Mark Jackson. And while many don’t believe Jackson is suited to be a head coach in the league anymore, this could prove to be one of LA’s better options.

Mark Jackson might be the best option for the Los Angeles Lakers

Let’s be honest with each other for a second: this Lakers job is one of the scariest in the NBA. It will have more pressure than any NBA coaching job in recent memory.

Heading into this past season, the Lakers were projected to be in the NBA Finals. After a terrible season, they ended up missing the Play-In Tournament entirely.

With LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the roster (and possibly Russell Westbrook, if they can’t trade him), the Lakers will undoubtedly have championship aspirations.

Adding a first-time head coach to the team just doesn’t seem like it would make a ton of sense. Sorry, Ham and Griffin, but this just doesn’t seem like the job for you.

And while Stotts could help the Lakers transform their offense a bit, he wouldn’t get them any closer to returning to the defensive roots that won them a championship.

Jackson may not be able to do that, but he’d be walking into Los Angeles with something that none of the other coaches will: predetermined respect. He already has the blessing of James, and with a team as rich in talent as the Lakers, a player’s coach should be a top priority.

Plus, as crass as it may be to say out loud, the repercussions of Jackson failing are much less severe than if Ham, Griffin, or Stotts were to fail in Los Angeles.

Earning the players’ trust is crucial on a championship-caliber team, and Jackson has that. He may not be the most strategic coach in the world, but he has the main thing that a LeBron-led team needs.

dark. Next. 5 roster moves the Lakers must make this offseason

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