Lakers Hire D'Antoni

[SD2042]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/22 ... ke_DAntoni

After firing mismatch coach Mike Brown on Friday, the Lakers went ahead and hire former Suns and Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni. The move no doubt will turn the Lakers around in the right direction. Their offense still still lethal on paper and will be on the floor once D'Antoni hits the hardwood. Are they championship worthy, I still say no. This is a coach who is geared offensively rather than defensively. With the defensive holes the Lakers have at certain positions, mostly from their bench, I believe the farthiest they will go is the second round of the WC playoffs.

[GrizzledGrizzFan]

I think in this case the better hire was the best manager of personalities and not necessarily the best floor coach. All it took to run D'Antoni out of NY was Melo. Just wait until he displeases Bean...

[vanjulio]

great pickup for getting D'Antoni. now they may just make the playoffs. at that point I don't think this team would have the balance to win a playoff series

[SD2042]

Not only that, it makes me question if D-12 will be a Laker after this season. Nash is 37 or 38 and Kobe was talking retirement within two yrs and such. Which means longetivity comes into question. D-12 left the Magic to pursue a series of titles of his own. I'm not so sure the Lakers can grant him the titles. Also, can D-12 learn from Kobe on how to be a better leader? If so, when the time comes will he be ready?

[vanjulio]

the NBA has changed rapidly in the past 6 years.
this year Lakers reminds me of the Rockets with Clyde Drexler, Charles Barkley, SCottie Pippen, and Hakeem. On Paper they should have gone 70-12 and won the finals.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/5907 ... per-squads


Very similar formula and they never got past the WCF.

[SD2042]

Sounds eeriely familiar. Lakers look like they may be on the edge of truly rebuilding within a year or so if they can't collect the title.

[I Am Awesome-O]

This was a best-case scenario hire for us. Won't be long before the Lakeshow implodes.