LOS ANGELES -- The Lakers hired Eddie Jordan, Steve Clifford and Bernie Bickerstaff as assistant coaches, the team announced Friday.
The new Lakers coaches will be replacing Ettore Messina and Quin Snyder, who left the team earlier this summer to join CSKA Moscow, and John Kuester, who has been reassigned to the position of advanced NBA scout and will be based on the East Coast.
Jordan, who played in the NBA from 1977 to 1984, was a member of the Lakers 1982 Championship team and most recently spent the 2009-10 season as head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers. Prior to his time in Philadelphia, Jordan served as head coach of the Washington Wizards from 2003 to 2009. Jordan posted a 197-224 record in Washington and in just his second season with the team guided the Wizards to their highest win total (45) in 25 years and the team’s first postseason appearance since the 1996-97 season. Prior to joining the Wizards, Jordan served as the lead assistant coach for the New Jersey Nets. During his four-year stint with the Nets, the team made the NBA Finals in back-to-back years (2002 and 2003). Jordan also spent seven years with the Sacramento Kings as an assistant coach (1992 to 1997) and head coach (1997-98).
Clifford spent the last five seasons as an assistant coach with the Orlando Magic, working with new Lakers center Dwight Howard. While with the Magic, Clifford helped guide the team to a 259-135 (.657) record and five post season appearances. Prior to his stint in Orlando, Clifford spent four seasons (2003 to 2007) as an assistant coach with the Houston Rockets and three seasons (2000 to 2003) with the New York Knicks.
Bickerstaff joins the Lakers after spending the last two seasons working as an assistant coach for the Portland Trail Blazers. Prior to joining the Blazers, Bickerstaff worked with the Chicago Bulls as an assistant coach from 2008 to 2010). He spent four years with the Charlotte Bobcats, one season as the executive vice president of Basketball Operations and three years (2004 to 2007) as the head coach and general manager. Bickerstaff previously served as head coach in Seattle, Denver and Washington. In addition, Bickerstaff was president and GM of the Nuggets from 1990 to 1997. Bickerstaff began his NBA coaching career with the Washington Bullets in 1973 as the league's youngest assistant coach. As a head coach, Bickerstaff has posted a career record of 414-512, and his total win rank 33rd all-time among head coaches.