The Los Angeles Lakers head coaching saga got even more exciting this week when the team’s pursuit of Connecticut coach Dan Hurley came to an abrupt halt when he decided to stay with the Huskies. Given the leadership and player development skills he displayed during his successful collegiate career, many were disappointed that the two-time national champion passed on the Lakers’ coaching job.
But it seems the University of Connecticut alum isn’t the only one happy that Hurley isn’t leaving for Los Angeles.
Coach Hurley has a chance to go down as one of the greatest coaches in college basketball history, and his future prospects are just too good to be true. #WithRespect it’s over!
— J.R. Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) June 10, 2024
Former Lakers guard JR Smith shared his thoughts on the situation on Twitter/X. In a video posted to his account, Smith said he felt Hurley had done well with the Huskies and was good enough to leave the team. He also criticized the Lakers, saying, “Looking at where the Lakers are now and where they’ve been, I think Hurley is better off staying where he is.”
Smith added in a later tweet that Hurley “has a chance to go down as one of the greatest coaches in college basketball history.”
Smith has a close relationship with Hurley, who was his coach at St. Benedict High School in New Jersey, so as a former Los Angeles player, there’s blame on both sides here, too. But the former star seems far more concerned with how Hurley is doing here than the Lakers, who are in desperate need of a true leader on their bench.
Smith’s opposition to Los Angeles’ acquisition of Hurley was somewhat surprising: He also sent out a tweet warning his former coach as the Lakers’ pursuit of him intensified.
Follow Don’t be fooled!
— J.R. Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) June 7, 2024
Suffice it to say, despite helping the franchise win its 17th Finals title in 2020, Smith doesn’t bleed the purple and gold.
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