Shortly after a 48-point loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night, Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak met separately with embattled coach Mike D'Antoni and vice president of player personnel Jim Buss to discuss the state of the team, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.
While Lakers management plans to continue to assess the situation, in the short term it is inclined to see how the team responds to the worst loss in franchise history, rather than make an in-season coaching change, sources said.
The Lakers play the Denver Nuggets on Friday night in the second night of a back-to-back, then host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday afternoon. After that, Los Angeles travels to Oklahoma City and San Antonio for a back-to-back next Thursday and Friday, respectively.
Kupchak has maintained a strong working relationship with D'Antoni in his two seasons as the Lakers' coach and has been pleased with the way he's kept the team together as the losses mounted on what will surely end up as one of the worst seasons in franchise history, sources said. The Lakers have been without Kobe Bryant for all but six games this season. Point guard Steve Nash has played in just 10 games.
The Lakers have set themselves up to chase one of the marquee players who could become free agents this summer. They had planned to evaluate D'Antoni, like all coaches, after the season.
The historically bad loss to the Clippers on Thursday caused Kupchak to check in with D'Antoni and the rest of Lakers management to discuss whether there was anything that could be done to get the team back on track, but the first inclination was not to make a coaching change, sources said.
http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/10570169/los-angeles-lakers-talk-state-team-rout-los-angeles-clippers
Prelude to Mike being fired. You always know that's the case when they claim "it's not about making a coaching change". Mike's dismissal will signal to the fans that the front office isn't asleep at the wheel, and if the lottery isn't as productive as some think it might be, it would go a long way toward developing a façade of concern over the state of the franchise.
They'd be re ed to fire him if they get Exum. With his system that 's stats would be ridiculous. Mike's made a lot of ty PGs money with that system.
How do you fire D'Antoni and pay someone to coach one of the worst rosters in the NBA? No real coach wants that job right now. Whoever is hired will lose and then get fired. Or worse, do mediocre or even well and then get fired when the roster improves enough to attract a top notch coach.
George Karl will come knocking
Why get rid of him now? He's doing a wonderful job of tanking.
They should definitely fire him this summer though, so he doesn't ruin their lotto pick like he did Stoudemire (who was an awesome defensive prospect when he was drafted).
What good coach would like that train-wreak.... Let D'antoni spin in the wind.......
Did you guys see their D against Denver today?
Yea I'm sure he's happy with Antoni.
Antoni's been great for the Lakers this season, tbh. Everyone knew coming in that the team would suck without Kobe so he's done his job to near perfection. They were in the Playoff picture & were motivated to go for a 7-8 seed like them Mavs but with Kobe re-injuring himself & others constantly going down, they pulled the plug & have been terrific at tanking.
There's no doubt in my mind he will get fired as soon as the Lakers put a decent roster together.
this team no ever play defense
wowthis team no ever play defense
Y'alll have to remember, this is Fredo's call, not Mitch's
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