The first-time NBA head coach must be mad or mad brave or way too confident to want to begin his coaching career by taking over the win-now-somehow Lakers.

The former NBA player and broadcaster says competition and service drive him in his first coaching gig, “a perfect marriage of the now and the future” with the Lakers.

“He just says go play, whatever, go shoot,” rookie Dalton Knecht said. “If you’re gonna be open, shoot it. And then if not, drive to the rim, shoot, try to get a layup or dish out for a three for another teammate.”