CALIPARI AND IZZO TO THE NBA?

Tom Izzo and John Calipari are once again rumored to be moving on to the NBA!

Calipari is the hottest coach in college basketball.  He's turned Kentucky into a breathing ground for NBA players.  His last stop in the NBA didn't turn out too good.  Calipari went 72-122 during his time as head coach of the New Jersey Nets.   If he decides to take this challenge he will be leaving behind one of the top five programs in the country.

The Los Angeles Lakers (25-52) are reportedly interested in hiring Calipari as their next head coach.  Kobe Bryant is signed through the 2016 season, which by all indications is expected to be his last.  Kobe is obviously disgusted by the Lakers abysmal season.  He also still feels slighted about being ranked the 25th best player in the NBA by ESPN.com.  Redemption is on Kobe's mind.  Los Angeles may not be the ideal place for Calipari right now.  If the Lakers get off to a slow start next year, whoever the head coach is may be gone by all-star break.

Tom Izzo reportedly is  in the running to become the next head coach of the Detroit Pistons(28-49). Since winning the NCAA Championship in 2000, Izzo has been rumored to become head coach of at least a dozen NBA franchises.  Izzo is a mythical figure in the state of Michigan.  He is revered at Michigan State in a similar manner to Mike Krzyzewski at Duke. 

Is Tom Izzo ready for a new challenge?

This is the first group of seniors that failed to reach the Final Four under Izzo at Michigan State.  Michigan State captured their fourth Big Ten regular season title this year under Izzo.  Since 1999 State has made the Final Four six times.

Izzo is 59 years old.  Coaching in the NBA is a exhausting task.  Detroit may not be the best job for Izzo, but at this point if he plans to coach in the NBA he may not have a choice. Tom Izzo is great for the college game.  However, the NBA is once again calling.  My gut feeling tells me at some point Izzo is going to answer that call.