Jerry Sloan
Win-Loss Record: 1221-803 (.603)
Championships: None (2 Appearances In 1997-1998)
Jerry Sloan is in my opinion the greatest coach in any sport to never achieve a championship. Sloan in my opinion is the best choice out of these guys for the long-term even at the age of 70 due to health issues of the final guy on my list of potential candidates. In the 90s, Sloan ran an effective pick and roll offense which the Jazz maximized the talents of Karl Malone and John Stockton but never got to hold the Larry O’Brien trophy as Phil Jackson was always in their way from Chicago to Los Angeles.
Along with the early 90s Trailblazers and the Kings of 2002, the Jazz became one of those great teams that never got a championship. After a nasty departure in Utah last year which he and Deron Williams had a very private feud that never seen public until the last days in which he had to re-sign as head coach. Sloan now has a chip on shoulder (the biggest out of the bunch) to prove his former team why he’s still one of the best coaches ever.
If Sloan arrives in Los Angeles he could reinvent himself along with the Lakers running the same pick and roll offense with Dwight Howard and Steve Nash. This would instantly take pressure off Kobe Bryant from the scoring load and free up Pau Gasol to roam the baselines for open shots on the weak side.