When the Lakers traded for Luka Dončić, everyone in the basketball world talked about it. In the blink of an eye, the future of the franchise had changed.
Suddenly, the Lakers had two superstars on the team and a young generational talent entering their prime.
While the Lakers had just shocked the world, it seems some fans took it as an opportunity to troll Dan Hurley, who was one of the candidates for the head coaching position
the previous summer.Hurley turned down the Lakers job and the franchise
quickly pivoted to JJ Redick. The team went on to win 50 games and with Luka signing an extension with the team this offseason, the future looks as bright as ever in Los Angeles.
On the Zach Lowe Show, Hurley discussed how L.A. fans were relentlessly trolling him for missing out on the opportunity to coach both Luka and LeBron James.
Hurley is an interesting character. He often looks like he’s doing his best Bobby Knight impression, yelling at referees and causing a scene on the sidelines. So, given his outgoing personality, it’s easy to tease him or to try to have a back-and-forth with Hurley.
With Lakers fans a bit sour with how he rejected the team, it’s no surprise they relished his UConn team flaming out of the NCAA Tournament and reminded him that he could’ve been the one to benefit from the greatness that is Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka’s trading ability, pulling off such a shocking deal to get Luka.
Fortunately, it sounds like the trolling was generally light-hearted and just another chapter in the ongoing saga between Lakers fans and Hurley.
Lakers fans are a different breed, but in the end, their attitude matches Anakin Skywalker’s words right before his battle with Obi-Wan in “Star Wars Episode 3 – Revenge of the Sith”: “If you are not with me, then you are my enemy.”
Hurley decided to stay with UConn, and anytime his career has a loud loss and the Lakers have grand wins, he will be reminded about that decision.
Taking the high road or living a good life, being the best form of revenge, are foreign concepts for Lakers fans. They will never forget Hurley turning them down and will give him petty reminders for the rest of his career.
Considering the likelihood of future success coming the Lakers’ way during this Luka era, Hurley will just have to grin and bear it, or you know, stay off Twitter.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
