The Pat Riley-Jerry West Press Conference Explained
Ahead of the November Press Conference
Buss introduces Jerry Buss as the Lakers Head Coach and Jerry West as the assistant or "Co-Head Coach" of the Lakers.
Buss Introduces Pat Riley and Jerry West as the "Two Head"
In the confusing press conference, Buss remarks that "There will be no question who the head coach is in this organization. I'm the head coach, and Pat Riley's the coach. Jerry West, as the general manager, is the co-head coach," Buss said.
In a 1981 Press Conference meant to Introduce the Teams New Head Coach, Buss's Remarks Were so Vague
Buss's remarks were so vague that many people were left wondering who was actually in charge of the team. West reacted to Buss's comments with some visible confusion of his own.
In 1981, Owner Jerry Buss Held a Confusing Press Conference in which he Sought to Explain he Was
Buss eventually clarified his remarks, saying that Riley would be the head coach and West would be the director of basketball operations.
Meanwhile, Buss Asks Jerry West to Coach the Team as the Lakers Options are Limited in the Midseason
Riley was not Buss's first choice for head coach. Buss had originally offered the job to Jack McKinney, but McKinney was injured in a bicycle accident before the season started. West was then offered the job, but he declined, saying that he did not want to coach.
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