MIKE D’ANTONI HAS been appointed the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers on a four-year contract.
The Lakers confirmed the deal last night, ending speculation that legendary coach Phil Jackson would return for a third stint at the helm.
Former head coach Mike Brown, who took over from Jackson in 2011, was sacked on Friday after guiding the Lakers to one of their worst starts in franchise history. The Lakers plan to make a formal announcement at a press conference tomorrow or Wednesday.
Team spokesman John Black told ESPN that Lakers owner Jerry Buss, executive vice president Jim Buss and general manager Mitch Kupchak were ‘unanimous that D’Antoni was the best coach for the team at this time’.
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D’Antoni, who has previously coached the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks, will reunite with former Suns point guard Steve Nash at the Staples Center.
“Everyone knows how much I love Mike,” Nash told The Times last week. “If he were to coach, it would be seamless and terrific for me, and I think the team as well.”
The Lakers, who have won two straight games under interim coach Bernie Bickerstaff since Brown’s departure, play the San Antonio Spurs next up tomorrow.
Lakers appoint Mike D'Antoni over legend Phil Jackson
MIKE D’ANTONI HAS been appointed the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers on a four-year contract.
The Lakers confirmed the deal last night, ending speculation that legendary coach Phil Jackson would return for a third stint at the helm.
Former head coach Mike Brown, who took over from Jackson in 2011, was sacked on Friday after guiding the Lakers to one of their worst starts in franchise history. The Lakers plan to make a formal announcement at a press conference tomorrow or Wednesday.
Team spokesman John Black told ESPN that Lakers owner Jerry Buss, executive vice president Jim Buss and general manager Mitch Kupchak were ‘unanimous that D’Antoni was the best coach for the team at this time’.
D’Antoni, who has previously coached the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks, will reunite with former Suns point guard Steve Nash at the Staples Center.
The Lakers, who have won two straight games under interim coach Bernie Bickerstaff since Brown’s departure, play the San Antonio Spurs next up tomorrow.
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