Lakers Going After Hurley

[MU82]

From what I have observed of him, it never made sense.  In the end, his deal got sweetened at UConn, he can try for history, and he didn't mess with happy or Mrs. Hurley.

Yep. It totally makes sense to use a reported $11.7M annual deal to leverage a lucrative pay raise from UConn, where you've built a dynasty and where you're happy.

We'll never know how he would have responded to a $20M/year deal.

That's if any of those numbers being bandied about were real, of course.

As a Marquette fan, and by extension a Big East fan, I'm glad he's staying. He's good for the Big East, and he's had a lot of kind things to say about Marquette and Shaka.

[Billy Hoyle]

let's see what happens when Thibs wears out his welcome with the Knicks and they come after Danny. I didn't see the move to LA for a Jersey lifer being realistic, but the Knicks, that's a different situation.

That said, today is a good day for the Big East.

[tower912]

Yeah, I could see the Knicks or the Celtics.  but timing matters, too.

[MuggsyB]

I've very glad Danny read this thread and realized dealing with The Lakers wasn't worth the money. 

[Uncle Rico]

Yeah, I could see the Knicks or the Celtics.  but timing matters, too.

Given the Knicks recent history, winning a title there would be a far greater accomplishment than winning one with the Lakers, though just getting one anywhere would be an accomplishment for him.

[Tyler COLEk]

I'd bet the Knicks are the dream job for Hurley, but perhaps unfortunate for him that Thibs just signed an extension. Gotta imagine he gets at least two more years there, probably more.

[BLWarrior91]

Given the Knicks recent history, winning a title there would be a far greater accomplishment than winning one with the Lakers, though just getting one anywhere would be an accomplishment for him.

Recent history?  It's 51 years and counting since they've won.  I agree it would be a massive accomplishment.

[DFW HOYA]

I'd bet the Knicks are the dream job for Hurley, but perhaps unfortunate for him that Thibs just signed an extension. Gotta imagine he gets at least two more years there, probably more.

That said, if UConn continues to soar and if the Knicks fail to reach the NBA finals, the media drumbeat for Hurley in a season or two will be everywhere.

[Jockey]

Well, if he had been offered $20M+ per year, it would have been quite a test of him not being a "jumper."

I never understood why people thought he would be offered $20 mil.

[tower912]

It would have to be the perfect offer at the perfect time.   I think it equally likely that he pulls a Calhoun or an Izzo and is there for 15-20 more years.

[Uncle Rico]

Recent history?  It's 51 years and counting since they've won.  I agree it would be a massive accomplishment.

Hahaha, yeah.  More than recent history.  That's why in think it's an appealing gig along with a roster that isn't a bunch of misfits or malcontents.  Definitely need a true alpha but they're close

[LloydsLegs]

From what I have observed of him, it never made sense.  In the end, his deal got sweetened at UConn, he can try for history, and he didn't mess with happy or Mrs. Hurley.

Yessir- all of this. 

[tower912]

Looking back through this thread, less vitriol and many decently thought out takes.

[WhiteTrash]

Brad Stevens was good.  John Beilein was not.

And I wouldn't call Donovan a "failure." He's been good to average. And way better than Rick Pitino. Donovan's career winning percentage is .556. Pitino's is .466.

Donovan has a good winning % due to the championship level team he was given in OKC. You can argue he has been average, not good. Do you think he'll ever get another HC gig?

Good call Brad Steven. He did pretty good.

[The Sultan]

Donovan has a good winning % due to the championship level team he was given in OKC. You can argue he has been average, not good. Do you think he'll ever get another HC gig?

He won't have to. The Bulls will keep him around like the Sox do with Ozzie even if he's no longer coaching.

[WhiteTrash]

He won't have to. The Bulls will keep him around like the Sox do with Ozzie even if he's no longer coaching.

LOL. So true. No joke, Billy D. truly has the best coaching job in sports.

[Lennys Tap]

From what I have observed of him, it never made sense.  In the end, his deal got sweetened at UConn, he can try for history, and he didn't mess with happy or Mrs. Hurley.

When he didn't sign before he got on the plane back to Connecticut I figured he was staying. The Laker offer was lower than speculated, UCONN upped their ante and it turned out as I hoped it would. Good for all in the Big East.

[The Sultan]

LOL. So true. No joke, Billy D. truly has the best coaching job in sports.

And they just hired his kid to coach their G-League team.

[WhiteTrash]

And they just hired his kid to coach their G-League team.

Classic.

JR has 1st class people in place after those trouble makers, MJ and Phil ruined his organization.

[MU82]

I never understood why people thought he would be offered $20 mil.

I read that numerous places. Maybe it was like the ol' Telephone Tag game.

[willie warrior]

I never understood why people thought he would be offered $20 mil.

Yeah, but that is what some of the talking heads experts were throwing out there.

[Jockey]

I read that numerous places. Maybe it was like the ol' Telephone Tag game.

Twitter tag.

[Dish]

Definitely something odd happened here, my guess is Woj was doing the Hurley's a solid (I do recommend "The Miracle of St. Anthony", good read).

For Woj to report initially "a massive offer", it certainly was not by NBA standards. Once Hurley leaves LA without accepting the offer, certainly seemed clear Hurley was staying at Storrs. Any good college coach knows you don't let the recruit get back on the plan without a firm commitment agreed upon.

Maybe Hurley wanted a look under the hood for down the road with an NBA team? Maybe UConn wasn't meeting his demands and he wanted more significant leverage than a college job?

Maybe all along it was just the Hurley family calling in a 20 year old favor for the access they gave Woj for the book?

[NCMUFan]

It would have to be the perfect offer at the perfect time.   I think it equally likely that he pulls a Calhoun or an Izzo and is there for 15-20 more years.

How about Jay Wright?

[Lennys Tap]

Classic.

JR has 1st class people in place after those trouble makers, MJ and Phil ruined his organization.

JR and Krause:"Players don't win championships, organizations do". How's that organization done post MJ?