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Los Angeles Lakers: How former Laker players fare as head coach

By Jamaal Artis

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 26: LeBron James #23 speaks with Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton during the second half of the game against the Washington Wizards at Staples Center on March 26, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 26: LeBron James #23 speaks with Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton during the second half of the game against the Washington Wizards at Staples Center on March 26, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Jim Pollard

  • Years coached: 1960
  • Record: 14-25
  • Playoff games: 9 (5-4)

The last coach of the Minneapolis Lakers was one of their early stars, “Jumpin” Jim Pollard. As a member of the dynasty Lakers of the 1950s, Pollard won five championships with the team and was a pioneer of the use of a jump shot.

Pollard played small forward and spent all eight years in the NBA with the Lakers. Unlike his former teammate Mikan, when he retired Pollard gained coaching experience through the college ranks before coaching the Lakers midway through the 1960 season.

Despite finishing below .500, the Lakers qualified for the first round of the NBA playoffs. Pollard lead the Lakers past the Detroit Pistons two games to none in a three-game series and then pushed the St. Louis Hawks to seven games, falling one win short of the NBA FInals.

When the Lakers moved to Los Angeles that off-season Pollard decided to stay in the Midwest, the bright spot from his lone season was picking second in the NBA Draft; that player ended up being Jerry West.

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