Lakers bring back former guard from Shaq-Kobe era as shooting coach

The Los Angeles Lakers are kicking it back to the 2000s with their latest hire.

ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported on Saturday that the Lakers have hired former guard Mike Penberthy to serve as their shooting coach. Penberthy held the same position last season for the New Orleans Pelicans.

The 44-year-old was on the Lakers during the height of the Shaquille O’Neal-Kobe Bryant era in 2001, winning the NBA championship with them that year. Penberthy was a 39.6 percent three-point shooter during his brief NBA career and also used to be the shooting coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Lakers failed to hire another player from that 2000-01 team this summer, so the addition of Penberthy actually seems rather fitting.