James Borrego Makes Honest Admission on Being Lakers Fan After Losing HC Interview Round to JJ Redick in 2024

New Orleans Pelicans interim coach James Borrego opened up about being a fan of the LA Lakers ahead of their Sunday matchup. Borrego was one of the candidates for the Lakers' head coaching job in the summer of 2024, but he lost to JJ Redick. Speaking to reporters before the game, Borrego was asked about the process of applying for the Lakers job more than a year ago. He shared that he grew up a fan of the franchise at the height of the Showtime Lakers, which were led by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. "I grew up a Lakers fan, No. 1, so to come here and interview for the job was so surreal and like a dream" Borrego said, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. James Borrego started his NBA coaching career in 2003, serving as an assistant to Gregg Popovich until 2010. Borrego also had stints for the New Orleans Pelicans and Orlando Magic before landing his first head coaching gig with the Charlotte Hornets in 2018.After four years in Charlotte, Borrego joined the Pelicans again, but this time as an associate head coach. He was interviewed by the LA Lakers for their coaching vacancy after firing Darvin Ham. He was one of the finalists, but JJ Redick was handed the position.Borrego returned to the Pelicans and was named interim earlier this season after the franchise fired Willie Green. It's unclear if the Pelicans are going to promote him to official head coach, but they are currently 1-7 under him entering Sunday's contest in Los Angeles. James Borrego likes his team's competitiveness amid lossesJames Borrego likes his team's competitiveness amid losses. (Photo: IMAGN)Despite a losing record under James Borrego, the New Orleans Pelicans have a different fight in them after the appointment of the interim coach. Borrego told Rod Walker of NOLA.com how impressed he was with his players' increased competitiveness despite their losses. "The best organizations I've been a part of are process-driven," Borrego said. "They have an identity, and they know what they believe in. They know what shots they are trying to create, whether they go in or not. Trust that this is where we need to go, and the results will take care of themselves. ... We are not near where we need to be, but we are getting close."The Pelicans have a good core of players, such as Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray, Jordan Poole, Trey Murphy III, Herbert Jones, Yves Missi and Derik Queen.