A week after losing to Connecticut in the National Championship game, John Calipari is touring the country promoting his upcoming book. Calipari appeared on The Dan Patrick Show earlier this morning to talk about his book as well as recent rumors linking him to the Lakers head coaching job.
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Calipari told Dan Patrick that he was really surprised by the rumor from Rex Chapman and said it upset him:
“I was really surprised,” Calipari said. “That’s all part of being the coach at Kentucky. But that disappointed me. Unless the Lakers told him. …. They had a coach, we had a coach. But I accept it. I’m not mad at Rex.”
Last week, both Calipari and the Lakers were taken by surprise from Chapman’s wild claim. Both sides came out and immediately denied the rumor. As long as the Lakers have a head coach in position, it seems that Calipari will continue to dismiss rumors out of respect.
Calipari has done a fine job in his college coaching tenure, reaching five Final Fours and winning one championship. However, the former Naismith coach of the year struggled in his one NBA stint with the New Jersey Nets.
Calipari is a proven winner, turning schools like UMASS and Memphis into consistent championship contenders, and many believe he wants to prove himself in the NBA. Should the Lakers dismiss D’Antoni, Calipari will be one of many names linked to the much coveted head coaching job. Expect names and rumors to run rampant until either a new coach is in place for the Lakers next season or the team announces D’Antoni is retained.
(H/T College Spun)
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Lakers Rumors: John Calipari To The Lakers? Lakers ‘Leaning Towards’ Parting Ways With D’Antoni?
