Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski still not interested in Lakers job

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In 2004, the Lakers made a strong pitch to hire Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski, but he ultimately turned them down.

On Wednesday at the Honda Center in Anaheim, where Krzyzewski’s top-seeded Blue Devils will face fifth-seeded Arizona in the NCAA West Regional semifinal Thursday night, Krzyzewski again said he’s not interested in the job, which will come open if current Lakers Coach Phil Jackson retires at the end of this season.

‘I’ve never thought of ever leaving Duke for another school, but there were three serious times when I almost left to go to the pros,’ Krzyzewski said. ‘One was when Dave Gavitt took over the Celtics, and another was with the Trail Blazers, but one that I took to a far level was the Lakers situation, and they were great with me.

‘I could not give up what I’ve got, what I have at Duke. It just wasn’t worth it.’

Krzyzewski has coached Team USA and said that made him a better coach.

‘I love the NBA, but it made me love the NBA more,’ he said of that experience. ‘I’m good with where I’m at, I’m too old to do anything else, kind of like (Boston Globe sports columnist) Bob Ryan.’

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-- Baxter Holmes