Is Laton native and former Fresno State basketball coach Ron Adams headed to the Los Angeles Lakers?
ESPN reports that the Golden State Warriors granted permission to the Lakers to interview Adams about joining coach Frank Vogel’s staff.
ESPN cited league sources for its report.
Survey: NBA’s Best Assistant Coach
Prior to the start of the 2018-19 season, NBA general managers named Adams the league’s best assistant coach in a survey. He has led that poll four consecutive years.
Adams, 71, just finished his fifth season on Steve Kerr’s Golden State staff. He has 25 years’ experience as an NBA assistant.
It is unclear Adams’ level of interest in the Lakers’ position, but they could make the case more compelling with a significant financial offer. He said before the start of last season that Golden State would be the last stop of his career.
The Lakers want to put together an experienced coaching staff. Their current group includes former head coaches Lionel Hollins and Jason Kidd as assistants.
Adams Is Member of Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame
The Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame inducted Adams in 2016.
Adams served as head coach of his alma mater, Fresno Pacific, from 1972-75. He then assisted Boyd Grant at Fresno State, where he earned the nickname “Secretary of Defense” for his schemes. Upon Grant’s retirement, he became Fresno State’s head coach, serving 1986-90.
Many in basketball credit him as the “father” of the matchup-zone defense.
