Michael Jordan.
04-13-2014, 07:54 PM
It doesn’t appear as if D’Antoni will survive and make it to next season.
The ex-Knicks coach has turned into a polarizing figure during what has been the Lakers’ worst season since arriving in Los Angeles in 1960. So it would be extremely difficult for the Lakers to bring him back. They also are looking to change their style to one that better fits Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, whom they plan on re-signing this summer when he becomes free.
One league source said there is sentiment within the Lakers’ executive offices for a “peaceful, mutual parting’’ with D’Antoni, who has one season left on his contract at $4 million. There’s another season beyond that, but it is at the team’s option.
“They don’t want to fire Mike,’’ the source said.
The Lakers are hoping for a best-case scenario: Another team asks to hire away D’Antoni. Then he could be freed up to leave and the Lakers wouldn’t get their hands dirty with their second firing of their coach in 17 months, following Mike Brown’s dismissal after a 1-4 start in November, 2012. They would then be able to make a popular move with their fans by hiring Byron Scott or current assistant coach Kurt Rambis, both of whom are part of the Lakers’ brand as ex-players from the Showtime days of the ’80s.
Either would get the seal of approval from Bryant, who wants D’Antoni out. Despite Rex Chapman’s report of a “done deal’’ for John Calipari to coach the Lakers, the team has absolutely no interest in hiring him, according to team sources.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/lawrence-lakers-peaceful-dump-mike-antoni-article-1.1754460#ixzz2yokuNPPd
The ex-Knicks coach has turned into a polarizing figure during what has been the Lakers’ worst season since arriving in Los Angeles in 1960. So it would be extremely difficult for the Lakers to bring him back. They also are looking to change their style to one that better fits Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, whom they plan on re-signing this summer when he becomes free.
One league source said there is sentiment within the Lakers’ executive offices for a “peaceful, mutual parting’’ with D’Antoni, who has one season left on his contract at $4 million. There’s another season beyond that, but it is at the team’s option.
“They don’t want to fire Mike,’’ the source said.
The Lakers are hoping for a best-case scenario: Another team asks to hire away D’Antoni. Then he could be freed up to leave and the Lakers wouldn’t get their hands dirty with their second firing of their coach in 17 months, following Mike Brown’s dismissal after a 1-4 start in November, 2012. They would then be able to make a popular move with their fans by hiring Byron Scott or current assistant coach Kurt Rambis, both of whom are part of the Lakers’ brand as ex-players from the Showtime days of the ’80s.
Either would get the seal of approval from Bryant, who wants D’Antoni out. Despite Rex Chapman’s report of a “done deal’’ for John Calipari to coach the Lakers, the team has absolutely no interest in hiring him, according to team sources.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/lawrence-lakers-peaceful-dump-mike-antoni-article-1.1754460#ixzz2yokuNPPd