The Dramatic Incident That Derailed Jack McKinney’s Career With the Los Angeles Lakers
Key points:
- Jack McKinney was hired as the head coach for the Los Angeles Lakers in 1979 but sustained a head injury a few games into the season, leading to a dramatic incident that put him in a coma.
- The Lakers eventually fired him due to specific circumstances that will be explored in the article.
- McKinney's career included coaching stints with various teams such as the Milwaukee Bucks, Portland Trail Blazers, Indiana Pacers, and Kansas City Kings.
Jack McKinney’s legacy as the Lakers’ head coach is a big “what-if” in NBA history. Hired in 1979 by the Lakers, his season took a turn when he sustained a near-fatal head injury. This event led to his firing, and the team’s success under the interim head coach, Paul Westhead. McKinney’s role as the offensive architect, and his impact on the team’s dynamics, draws curiosity about the potential success that was cut short. Despite the uncertainty, McKinney’s legacy is seen as a catalyst for the Lakers’ future success.
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The summary of the linked article was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence technology from OpenAI
