One of the most awaited vacancies to be filled is the head coaching job for the Los Angeles Lakers. After the firing of Darvin Ham, fans are looking forward to the next head coach, which could possibly be JJ Redick, Tyronn Lue, Phil Handy, or someone new. However, a former big man of the Lakers has an interesting idea on his mind that involves LeBron James doing something similar to what Bill Russell did back in the 60s during the end of his playing career. 

DeMarcus Cousins and Rachel Nichols had an interesting conversation about LeBron James for All the Smoke podcast. The former Lakers center was questioned by Nichols on who should be the next coach for the LA unit. He replied, “At this point, just pull a Bill Russell. Make LeBron the head coach and ride off in the f****** sunset. Whatever the f*** happens, happens.”

He also made a controversial claim about the Lakers, “Any coach that takes this Lakers job, I said it earlier, it’s a hire to fire.” Nichols questioned if this was the case for the Lakers in general, or if it was after James arrived. Cousins just laughed it off.

He finally added, “I can’t think of another coach. JJ Redick, I’ve seen his name. It would be a first-time situation so, you know, that’s a huge question mark. Kenny Atkinson doesn’t really move the needle. T-Lue [Tyronn Lue]…Why would you leave a job with great security?… That’s a big thing in this league.” 

Boogie doesn’t have a potential candidate in his mind for the Lakers at the moment. So he is suggesting that the King takes up the coaching. If by any chance James does so, he will join an elite company, alongside Bill Russell. 

How did Bill Russell act as a player-coach for the Boston Celtics?

On April 18, 1966, Russell took up the job of coaching the Boston Celtics, which made him the first-ever player-coach in NBA history. In his very first season as the head coach, Russell missed the NBA Finals. However, he made sure that the next two years belonged to him and the Celtics. Russell faced the Los Angeles Lakers in 1968, headed by Jerry West and Elgin Baylor, who made it to the cover of Sports Illustrated that year. 

That triggered Russell, who said, “That was all we needed.“ He led the Celtics to back-to-back championships in 1968 and 1969 before he retired. James probably has two or three seasons left in the NBA. So, in case he wants to repeat history, this is the perfect chance for it.

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