LA Lakers GM Rob Pelinka may not have many fans among his former colleagues. After former Lakers center Dwight Howard, who was signed twice under Pelinka’s stint, called out the executive for blowing up the 2020 roster that won the 17th title for the franchise, ex Lakers assistant Phil Handy doubled down on that claim.
“Rob [Pelinka] kinda messed up the dynasty,” Howard said on Gilbert Arenas’ podcast. “We would’ve had at least 2 championships and an opportunity to fight for a third one.”
Handy, who was fired along with the rest of Darvin Ham’s staff, dropped a one-word reaction on the viral video of Howard’s rant against Pelinka.
“Facts,” Handy wrote.
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Handy was a locker room favorite among players. He helped groom several young talents with his plater development skills. However, Handy was let go this past summer. The Lakers revamped their entire staff after new coach JJ Redick’s hiring. Nate McMillan and Scott Brooks are the two senior assistant coaches, while Bob Beyer, Greg St. Jean, Lindsey Harding and Beau Levesque are also on board.
Phil Handy was reportedly upset over not getting consideration for LA Lakers’ head coaching role
The LA Lakers have seen two coaching changes since Phil Handy’s hiring in the 2019-20 season. They fired championship-winning coach Frank Vogel in 2022 after failing to make the playoffs with a star-studded roster, including Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard.
Handy was one of the lead assistants at the time. However, the Lakers overlooked his potential as a head coaching candidate. The situation was the same after the Lakers fired Darvin Ham. Instead of keeping Handy on the staff, LA let him go instead of considering him for the head coaching job for the second time.
According to Lakers Daily’s Anthony Irwin, the Lakers were open to bringing Handy back. However, the assistant coach wasn’t happy with his snub for the head coaching position.
“Phil Handy is also unlikely,” Irwin wrote. “The Lakers are more open to bringing him back, but sources say he was not at all happy with not being considered for the head coach position the last two opportunities.”
As things played out, the LA Lakers’ coaching hires seemed much different than in previous seasons. They have two former head coaches at the front of their bench, which was one of their primary goals after hiring an experienced JJ Redick to lead the team next season.
