D’Antoni steps down after nearly two seasons in Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Lakers announced Wednesday night that Mike D’Antoni had resigned as head coach of the team. D’Antoni took over for Mike Brown last season, and the team earned a playoff spot on the final day of the regular season. The Lakers were one of the worst teams in the Western Conference this season, finishing 27-55. Multiple injuries to Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash played large roles in this season’s failure, along with a strenuous relationship with Pau Gasol (and Dwight Howard the season before).
Following Howard’s departure, the team signed a number of players to one year deals, and while the team found a few bright spots in the likes of Nick Young, Kendall Marshall, Jodie Meeks, and Kent Bazemore (via trade), none were able to replace the impact of Bryant, Nash, and Gasol (when he missed time). A healthy Bryant would have made a difference, but its doubtful the Lakers would have made the playoffs even if he had played most of the year. In two seasons, D’Antoni finished 67-87.
The team has been active in finding D’Antoni’s replacement, with Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times reporting the Lakers short list includes George Karl, Jeff Van Gundy, Byron Scott, and Kurt Rambis, while Dave McMenamin reported the Lakers will reach out to Tom Thibodeau. Additionally, the Lakers plan to reach out to high profile college coaches John Calipari and Kevin Ollie. Calipari addressed these reports today via Twitter, stating his commitment to Kentucky.
The list of names suggests the Lakers will go all in for a high profile coach. Whoever is hired will face a number of issues (Bryant’s/Nash’s health, Gasol’s future with team) but key in returning the Lakers to the playoffs will be assembling a roster that fits the style of new coach.
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