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Mike D’Antoni not Phil Jackson to coach the Lakers with Nash, Kobe, Gasol and Howard / NBA & Lakers News

Mike D'Antoni to coach Kobe, Nash, Gasol and D-12 at Laker town !
Mike D'Antoni to coach Kobe, Nash, Gasol and D-12 at Laker town !

Mike D’Antoni Lakers partnership begins ! The former Knicks and Suns coach, father of Run&Gun playing style, has signed a three-year, $12-million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers after the team passed on the over-expensive demands of NBA legend Phil Jackson.

Los Angeles / NationalTurk – Mike D’Antoni is the new coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, the Lakers bosses passed on the deal with former coach and NBA legend Phil Jackson due to his expensive demands.

As Bernie Bickerstaff, the team’s interim coach and a true Lakers proletarian tries to keep it simple for Lakers, Los Angeles Lakers hired Mike D’Antoni late Sunday night, signing the former coach of the Phoenix Suns and Knicks to replace Mike Brown.

The Lakers and D’Antoni’s agent, Warren LeGarie, confirmed the 4 years and $12-million deal only 2 days after the Lakers fired Mike Brown five games into the season. Lakers were 1-4 under Brown’s coaching.

Mike D’Antoni agreed to a three-year deal with a team option for a fourth season with Los Angeles Lakers.

Mike D’Antoni Lakers’ coach Info

Mike D’Antoni got the high-profile job running the 16-time NBA champions only after the club’s negotiations broke down with former Lakers coach Phil Jackson. The 11-time NBA champion coach and guru met with Lakers owners Jerry and Jim Buss and general manager Mitch Kupchak on Saturday to discuss a return for a third stint behind the Los Angeles bench.

Phil Jackson no 3rd time stint with Lakers : ‘ He was asking for the moon ! ‘

NBA pundits said taht Jackson “was the overwhelming favorite to return to the Los Angeles Lakers organization until they heard his demands, which included a stake in team ownership, according to a person familiar with the situation.”

“Phil was asking for the moon,” said the Lakers person, who also declined to be identified because they are not authorized to discuss the  Lakers coach situation.

The Lakers will introduce their new coach Mike D’Antoni at a news conference as early as Tuesday but more likely later in the week. Bernie Bickerstaff will remain the team’s interim coach for now.

Lakers spokesman John Black said later “We signed Mike D’Antoni to a multi-year deal,” , mentioning also Lakers’ owner and top two executives. “Dr. [Jerry] Buss, Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak were unanimous that Mike D’Antoni was the best coach for the team at this time.”

Mike D’Antoni, 61, coached the New York Knicks last season and the Phoenix Suns before that. He will officially take over the Los Angeles Lakers within a week or two, depending how quickly he recovers from knee-replacement surgery. D’Antoni was most recently employed by the Knicks, when he was forced to resign under pressure last season after an 18-24 start.

He replaces Mike Brown, who was fired Friday after the Lakers began the season 1-4, their worst start since 1993.

Earlier Sunday, Lakers guard Steve Nash said it would “be a coup” for the Lakers to bring back Jackson, but he also had kind words for D’Antoni.

Nash happy but not overjoyed over appointing of former coach D’Antoni as Lakers coach

“Obviously, I think everyone knows how much I love Mike,” said Nash, who played four seasons and won two MVP awards under D’Antoni in Phoenix. “If he were the coach, it would be seamless and terrific for me, and I think the team as well.”

Kobe excited over Mika D’Antoni era at Lakers

Kobe Bryant did not hide his excitement for the prospect of Jackson returning but, like Nash, he was also on board with D’Antoni.

“They know how I feel about Phil. They know how I feel about D’Antoni,” Bryant said Sunday. “I like them both.”

D’Antoni’s coaching staff with the Lakers likely will start with two longtime assistants — his brother, Dan D’Antoni, and Phil Weber.

The new Lakers coach has a 388-339 coaching record in the NBA. He led the Suns to the Western Conference finals in 2005 and 2006 with Nash running the show.

Bryant became familiar as a boy with D’Antoni, who was a star in the Italian league in the 1980s, when Bryant’s father also played in Italy. D’Antoni helped Olimpia Milano win five league titles and two European club titles. D’Antoni also worked with Bryant on the U.S. national team as an assistant.

Did the Lakers choose wisely with Mike D’Antoni ? Write your comment below 

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