Mike Dunleavy Sr. is interested in making a return to coaching next season, expressing interest in putting himself on the running for the Los Angeles Lakers coaching vacancy.
Dunleavy, who has not coached since being fired by the Los Angeles Clippers in 2010, recently said in a SiriusXM Radio interview that he is willing to be interviewed for the job, saying that he had a lot of success with the franchise during the 1990's.
"If I had an opportunity to interview with them I would definitely be interested," Dunleavy said via Inside SoCal. "I had a great run there when I coached in the '90s."
Dunleavy, who led the Lakers to the 1991 NBA Finals before losing to the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls, also cited his good relationship with superstar guard Kobe Bryant.
Bryant considered signing with the Clippers as a free agent in 2004, and Dunleavy claimed that he was one of the main reasons why the 16-time All-Star expressed interest in moving to the Lakers' city rival.
"I think I have a good relationship with Kobe," Dunleavy said. "I recruited him a number of years ago to come to the Clippers. I think at the time I had a good argument for it and I think we were very close to getting him to shift at that time."
Brian Shaw Not Interested In Lakers, NY Knicks Coaching Vacancies
Brian Shaw played down speculations suggesting that he wants out of Denver Nuggets because he is interested in becoming the next Lakers or Knicks head coach.
Shaw, who had a tumultuous rookie year as coach with the Nuggets, insisted that he is not making himself available for the Lakers and Knicks coaching vacancies, saying that he is fully committed to the Nuggets.
"I don't have a take on the L.A. situation or the New York situation," Shaw told The Denver Post. "I have a job here in Denver that I'm happy with. Though the season didn't turn out how any of us would have liked, I'm happy where I am and I'm looking forward to coaching a full complement of healthy players."
