LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers announced today that they have hired Kentucky coach John Calipari as their next head basketball coach. Current Laker Coach Mike D’Antonio will coach the remaining four games this season.
A formal introduction for Calipari is set for this Friday before the game in Los Angeles against the Warriors. Calipari says he is excited to take over the organization and has already begun making moves to set the team for next season.
“I am really excited forΒ a chance to coach again in the NBA, I have grown a lot as a coach since my last job here,” Calipari said in a brief interview. “I want to make this a successful era in Laker basketball. To do that I have been on the phone all morning with GMs across the league. I have successfully traded all of the existing players except Jodie Meeks for first round picks in the upcoming draft. I wish Kobe the best of luck next year with the Milwaukee Bucks, but it is time for a new era.”
The Lakers, who own the 6th highest lottery percentage pick, have reportedly traded players and future draft picks for the remaining top seven picks with the highest lottery percentage.
Calipari says he will use the picks to draft the Kentucky players leaving for the NBA in this draft. He hopes to fill out the team by picking up former players, such as Patrick Patterson, in free agency.
“I felt like this year’s Kentucky team really started to play well together in the tournament. I am excited to see what they can accomplish with another year together,” Calipari said. “After the season they sat down with me and we decided as a group to make this move. I think we can build upon our success this year and my players can get paid doing it. Well, officially anyway.”
Calipari says he appreciated his time at Kentucky and apologizes for the scholarship losses the school will face over the next 4 seasons.
37 Comments
Lame. Why does everyone try to be the Onion
Lame. Why does everyone try to be the Onion
Lame. Why does everyone try to be the Onion
Lame. Why does everyone try to be the Onion
They are saying that this is fake and that Cali is not leaving Ky
How disrespectful. To put such a story out.
Read the title of the header. “Arkansas 2nd most unreliable news source”. It’s not hard people. Just because it’s on the internet doesn’t make it truth.
Greg Henderson this is one of the worst attempts at humor I have ever laid eyes on.
Greg Henderson this is one of the worst attempts at humor I have ever laid eyes on.
Why would he leave a $4.8 million paycheck to go to the lakers?
Why would he leave a $4.8 million paycheck to go to the lakers?
Why would he leave a $4.8 million paycheck to go to the lakers?
Why would he leave a $4.8 million paycheck to go to the lakers?
Sorry, Jill Coleman your coach is leaving the Big Blue Nation!
Sorry, Jill Coleman your coach is leaving the Big Blue Nation!
Sorry, Jill Coleman your coach is leaving the Big Blue Nation!
haha pretty funny though. Traded all the players except for Jody Meeks and people believe lol
haha pretty funny though. Traded all the players except for Jody Meeks and people believe lol
totally a false story. Picture is photo shopped and not even done well since he is wearing the wristband from the tournament.
totally a false story. Picture is photo shopped and not even done well since he is wearing the wristband from the tournament.
totally a false story. Picture is photo shopped and not even done well since he is wearing the wristband from the tournament.
Is this really True? I sure hope not
hey people if this was true it would be all over espn
Plus all over Kentucky news duh
Plus all over Kentucky news duh
Kobe being traded to the Bucks should be a huge clue. π
Kobe being traded to the Bucks should be a huge clue. π
Kobe being traded to the Bucks should be a huge clue. π
It’s a hoax people. Cal will be on the sideline at UK next year. There are so many that want Cal gone from UK and it is not the fans of UK but those who are haters and those who are jealous of UK.
The statement that he has grown as a coach is a joke in itself. He can leave if he wants but this story is surely a hoax.
Kobe to the Bucks huh. lol Master P must be trying out for the NBA again…
How many players has he graduated in his coaching career…He has only messed up move young lives than he has helped…Plus he can’t coach, he has the best players and one (1) national championship…That is so sad…
Maybe not on the same level as an Onion or Empiresports.co post but a nice attempt. Of course it is a given that the Lakers will win the lottery this year.
This is a Joke Don”t believe a word of it.LOL
This is a Joke Don”t believe a word of it.LOL
This is a Joke Don”t believe a word of it.LOL
Once again, Kentucky fans getting mad over somebody joking about Calipari leaving…so sensitive.