Mike D'Antoni to hire defensive assistant

[Slava]

Mike D'Antoni is considering adding a defensive assistant to his staff with the Los Angeles Lakers in the offseason.

D'Antoni's first choice is believed to be Nate McMillan. The two coaches worked together as assistants with Team USA.

McMillan, however, is expected to land a head coaching job.

Alvin Gentry could fill the role, according to sources.

Link

[Danny Darko]

I'm guessing Nate is like "only if I whiff on a head coaching job, and then only because I'll likely get to be interim head coach anyway"

[Kilroy]

Bring in Pippen or give Bowen a call... Maybe they can work their way up to head coach.

Rambis wouldn't be a horrible choice either.

[TyCobb]

That would make me feel better about the coaching situation if he could get Nate or Gentry. Team USA ftw.

[Gek]

That would make me feel better about the coaching situation if he could get Nate or Gentry. Team USA ftw.

yeah! let's replace D'Antoni with coach K.

[Pablo Escobar]

Nice. Now, we should get a head coach

[stunnar0b]

Dwight's demands are already being made I hope

[MistyMountain20]

But really isn't Nate suppose to be a pretty crappy coach?

[BEazy]

Nice I assume Dan D'antoni isn't working out for the 4th time he's been hired by Mike...

[showtimePL]

I like D'Antoni's job on offensive end. He didn't try to force his system, he likes simple play with emphasis on good spacing and that's the way to play in todays NBA. With time put in during camp we should be able to cut on turnovers. We can make it work.

With that being said, I wonder what freedom would be given to defensive coordinator. In New York they had Woodson, but it wasn't until he became head coach that they actually started to improve on defense. And they basically stayed with run D'Antoni's 4 out 1 in spread pick and roll offense showing that it can work

[Kalidogg24]

Do it Mitch!!!

[LAKESHOW]

This is similar to Coach Brown hiring new offensive assistants. In other words, a mess.

[Wavy Q]

Mike Brown

[Mr2KElite12]

Just bring Phil back and MD can sit back and watch how it's done

[Kalidogg24]

This is similar to Coach Brown hiring new offensive assistants. In other words, a mess.

I agree 100 but there's nothing we can do since Mitch already stated MDA ain't going anywhere.
The best thing we can hope for is that he brings in some solid help.
I like Nate who does know more about defense than MDA.

[MAMBAEMD]

I like the idea of bringing in a defensive assistant.
But I also think the Lakers biggest problem on defense was their offense.
Too many turnovers and too many missed long jumpers without people getting back gave away too many easy points.

The Lakers need to decide what their offensive scheme will be. That will have a big impact on their D.

[Desiderium]

i just don't know why you need a "defensive specialist" in order to play defense. not like these guys are rookies...this is gonna be a waste of salary but whatever i guess. if there's even a small chance it improves us defensively, i guess you take it.

[DEEP3CL]

That would make me feel better about the coaching situation if he could get Nate or Gentry. Team USA ftw.

LOL....What, Ty did you not see the wreckage Gentry did in Phoenix ? Gentry isn't a defensive coach, the last thing I want to see is a total Suns reunion here in LA.

[Dr Aki]

i guess we want to pay less overall

pay nate less than what it saves from letting mike brown go to cleveland

[Dr Aki]

i just don't know why you need a "defensive specialist" in order to play defense. not like these guys are rookies...this is gonna be a waste of salary but whatever i guess. if there's even a small chance it improves us defensively, i guess you take it.

because we play **** defense thats why.

being a vet or a rookie means nothing when you play **** defense anyway