Lakers hire Mike D'Antoni

[TOP]

Mike D'Antoni agrees to four-year deal to coach Los Angeles Lakers, agent says - ESPN Los Angeles

I know they said he was a possibility but I didn't see that coming. Had sounded like Jackson was all but a done deal. He was putting a staff together and they were talking about travel plans.

Are Lakers fans unhappy about this? I think I would be if I were them considering Phil Jackson would have been much better. The only place D'Antoni ever had success was with the Suns. Maybe it will work with the Lakers since he's reunited with Nash but he's not what he used to be.

 

[stephenk24]

I don't think this is going to work.... I just can't see it.

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

Phil had to many demands. How can he skip road games? Not sure if MD is the answer. We got rid of our Dooley. Now who did we get in return? #Lakers

 

[n_huffhines]

Phil had to many demands. How can he skip road games? Not sure if MD is the answer. We got rid of our Dooley. Now who did we get in return? #Lakers

LMAO...I know wining 60% of your games sucks if you are a Lakers fan, but not even close to being "Dooley".

 

[TennesseeFan07]

Phil had to many demands. How can he skip road games? Not sure if MD is the answer. We got rid of our Dooley. Now who did we get in return? #Lakers

This.

 

[Weezy]

I think this will work. But I also thought Harden wasn't ready for primetime.

 

[AV_12]

I think this will work. But I also thought Harden wasn't ready for primetime.

Im still reserving judgement on Harden

 

[mtt2d]

I don't expect a turn around right away. This lakers team has a long way to go no matter who they hired.

 

[tvols75]

This was the one hire I was worried about. Think the Lakers are much more suited for his style of play.

 

[YankeeVol]

Defense wins championships

 

[tvols75]

Defense wins championships

You think Artest, Howard, and Kobe will all of a sudden forget how to play D? He has never had this luxury. His top stars in his career have been Amare, Carmello, and Nash. None of those 3 can play D. I want the Lakers to fail as much as I do Bama in CFB, but this is a great hire. Nash, Bryant, and Howard all love him as a coach.

 

[865dude]

Maybe Kobe wants to win one without Phil?

 

[n_huffhines]

Maybe Kobe wants to win one without Phil?

Well it obviously is a move that will please Nash, and I suspect there is some truth to what you say. That being said, Kobe loves D'Antoni, too. I guess D'Antoni was a superstar in the Italian leagues when Joe Bryant was playing, and apparently Kobe as a kid was a big fan.

 

[zjcvols]

Well it obviously is a move that will please Nash, and I suspect there is some truth to what you say. That being said, Kobe loves D'Antoni, too. I guess D'Antoni was a superstar in the Italian leagues when Joe Bryant was playing, and apparently Kobe as a kid was a big fan.

Mike D. also has coached Kobe in the Olympics the last two times, and they get along well.

 

[GahLee]

This was the one hire I was worried about. Think the Lakers are much more suited for his style of play.

No they aren't.

 

[bamacheats]

Lmao at S'ucktoni! His porn stash will at least fit in better in Southern Cal than anywhere else.

 

[n_huffhines]

Defense wins championships

FWIW, D'Antoni's Knicks were 5th in points surrendered per possession last year.

Either way, basketball is all about outscoring your opponents. D'Antoni gets unfairly knocked. Of course his teams are going to surrender points. Their uptempo pace leads to more shots for both teams, thus more points.

 

[GahLee]

FWIW, D'Antoni's Knicks were 5th in points surrendered per possession last year.

Either way, basketball is all about outscoring your opponents. D'Antoni gets unfairly knocked. Of course his teams are going to surrender points. Their uptempo pace leads to more shots for both teams, thus more points.

One way to outscore the opponent is to not give up 100 points a game.

 

[n_huffhines]

No kidding? It's all about pace. D'Antoni's teams shoot early in the shot clock.

It's impossible to hold the opposition to 100 points when they have 90 FGA. Add 20-25 FTA and there is no way your opponent is averaging < 100. The reason the Bulls surrendered 89 ppg last year is because they slow it down, and limit the number of possessions. Their opponents averaged just 66* shots per game.

* That is some slow ass basketball. If you used the full 24 for every shot there would be 60 shots for each team.

 

[005]

kobe triple double first d'antoni game. hmmmmmmmmmm

 

[n_huffhines]

If Kobe is going to continue to play a style like Iguodala, rather than Carmelo, the Lakers are going to be very good.