The Sports Report: The Jason Kidd hiring could be a big mistake

Hello everyone. My name is Houston Mitchell. Let’s get right to the news (or lack thereof) today.

Lakers

Count our own Dylan Hernandez as one of those not happy with the hiring of Jason Kidd as an assistant coach. Here’s some of what Dylan had to say:

“The news is as astonishing now as it was a couple of days ago: the Lakers are hiring Jason Kidd to be an assistant coach.

“Of all of the confounding decisions the Lakers have made over the last couple of months, this is most baffling, if only because of how completely avoidable it was.

“The Lakers are the farmer asking the fox to guard the henhouse. They are the Trojans wheeling the wooden horse behind their walls.

“They are asking for trouble.

“The problems they have courted already have surfaced, as the clock started ticking on incoming coach Frank Vogel even before his appointment became official Monday afternoon.

“In a town where perception is reality, the widespread assumption is that Kidd is the coach-in-waiting. See what happens if the Lakers begin next season erratically. Vogel will make Luke Walton’s dead-man-walking routine feel mild by comparison.

“What’s most incredible about this debacle-in-the-making is the only people unaware of what’s coming appear to be owner Jeanie Buss, general manager Rob Pelinka and the others who are part of the team’s incestuous little decision-making circle.

“To be fair, there was a time when they knew.

“When Walton was still employed by the Lakers, Kidd reinforced his image as a schemer, speaking publicly about the team’s head coaching position.

“In an appearance on ESPN’s “The Jump” in March, Kidd complimented Walton, but added, “We’ll wait ’til the season’s over to see what opportunities come about.”

“Buss was disinclined to hire the Hall of Fame point guard in any capacity. But Kidd’s agent, Jeff Schwartz, has a good relationship with Buss advisor Linda Rambis and was able to get his client an interview.

“Kidd sold himself as a confidante of LeBron James and possible mentor for Lonzo Ball to Pelinka and Rambis’ husband, Kurt, the team’s senior basketball advisor — and, by extension, to Buss. She ignored her initial misgivings.

“The episode raises the question of whether it’s better to have never known the truth or to have known and be talked out of it. The vote here is the first.

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Today is the NBA draft lottery, or as it is known in L.A. “the highlight of the Lakers’ offseason.” Based on their 37-45 record from last season, the Lakers have a 2% chance of landing the top pick in the draft. Wouldn’t it be fun to watch the conspiracy theories fly if the Lakers get the top pick?

But if everything goes as it is supposed to, the Lakers will get the 11th pick of the draft. If they get that pick, NBA scouts could see them taking Gonzaga forward Rui Hachimura or North Carolina swingman Nassir Little when the draft takes place on June 20.

The NBA draft lottery is today at 5:30 p.m. PT on ESPN.

NBA playoffs

Western Conference Finals

All times Pacific

Tonight, 6 p.m., Portland at Golden State, ESPN

Thursday, 6 p.m., Portland at Golden State, ESPN

Saturday, 6 p.m., Golden State at Portland, ESPN

Monday, May 20, 6 p.m., Golden State at Portland, ESPN

*Wed., May 22, 6 p.m., Portland at Golden State, ESPN

*Friday, May 24, 6 p.m., Golden State at Portland, ESPN

*Sunday, May 26, Portland at Golden State, ESPN

Eastern Conference Finals

All times Pacific

Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Toronto at Milwaukee, TNT

Friday, 5:30 p.m., Toronto at Milwaukee, TNT

Sunday, 4 p.m., Milwaukee at Toronto, TNT

Tuesday, May 21, 5:30 p.m., Milwaukee at Toronto, TNT

*Thursday, May 23, 5:30 p.m., Toronto at Milwaukee, TNT

*Saturday, May 25, 5:30 p.m., Milwaukee at Toronto, TNT

*Monday, May 27, 5:30 p.m., Toronto at Milwaukee, TNT

*-if necessary

NHL playoffs

Western Conference Finals

All times Pacific

at San Jose 6, St. Louis 3

St. Louis 4, at San Jose 2

Wednesday, 5 p.m., San Jose at St. Louis, NBCSN

Friday, 5 p.m., San Jose at St. Louis, NBCSN

Sunday, Noon, St. Louis at San Jose, NBC

*Tuesday, May 21, 5 p.m., San Jose at St. Louis, NBCSN

*Thursday, May 23, 6 p.m., St. Louis at San Jose, NBCSN

Eastern Conference Finals

All times Pacific

at Boston 5, Carolina 2

at Boston 6, Carolina 2

Tonight, 5 p.m., Boston at Carolina, NBCSN

Thursday, 5 p.m., Boston at Carolina, NBCSN

*Saturday, 4:15 p.m., Carolina at Boston, NBC

*Monday, May 20, 5 p.m., Boston at Carolina, NBCSN

*Wednesday, May 22, 5 p.m., Carolina at Boston, NBCSN

*if necessary

Other newsletters

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Our Dodgers newsletter, written by me. Subscribe here.

Lakers newsletter, written by Tania Ganguli. Subscribe here.

Horse racing newsletter, written by John Cherwa. Subscribe here.

Boxing/MMA newsletter, written by Lance Pugmire. Subscribe here.

Soccer newsletter, written by Kevin Baxter. Subscribe here.

Odds and ends

Dodgers’ Joe Kelly seeks answers to struggles by constantly tinkering…. Trail Blazers hoping to match the moment in Western Conference finals against Warriors…. Kawhi Leonard’s game-winner: A ranking of announcers’ calls worldwide…. Homers by Shohei Ohtani and Tommy La Stella lift Angels over Twins…. No. 1 UCLA baseball team is relying on pitcher Jack Ralston (9-0)…. Chargers re-sign versatile defensive lineman Damion Square…. Ducks’ Ryan Kesler likely out for 2019-20 season after hip surgery…. South African officials to appeal decision in Caster Semenya gender-testing case…. Tai Marks hopes he’s the next Mater Dei lineman to earn a college scholarship

Today’s local major sports schedule

(All times Pacific)

San Diego at Dodgers, 7 p.m., Sportsnet LA, AM 570

Angels at Minnesota, 4:30 p.m., FSW, KLAA 830

Born on this date

1881: Baseball player Ed Walsh

1937: Baseball player/manager Dick Howser

1948: Former Angel Dave LaRoche

1955: Baseball player Dennis Martinez

1966: NBA player Mark Jackson

1966: NBA player Pooh Richardson

1967: NFL player Tony Siragusa

Died on this date

1992: NFL player Lyle Alzado, 43, cancer

And finally

Dennis Martinez pitches a perfect game against the Dodgers. Watch it here.

That concludes the newsletter for today. If you have any feedback, ideas for improvement or things you’d like to see, please email us here. If you want to subscribe, click here.