Mike D'Antoni In 'Strong Position' To Become Head Coach Of Hornets

[RealGM Wiretap]

Mike D'Antoni is in a "strong position" to become the next head coach of the Charlotte Hornets, according to "ongoing buzz in league coaching circles" relayed by Marc Stein of Substack.

D'Antoni was an assistant coach with the Brooklyn Nets in 20-21 and a consultant with the New Orleans Pelicans last season. D'Antoni was most recently a head coach in 19-20 with the Houston Rockets.

The Hornets want a veteran coach who can connect with LaMelo Ball and tailor their offense around him.

Other candidates who have interviewed for the job include Kenny Atkinson, Darvin Ham, Sean Sweeney and Frank Vogel.

[Nazrmohamed]

I thought they already played fast. Dantoni is a perfect fit.

[mtcan]

Is James Harden forcing his way to Charlotte now?

[amcoolio]

Calling it now, D'Antoni will coach for a year then move into the GM role and promote the lead assistant he hires while Kupchak retires/moves to be a team president

[alienpick]

Is James Harden forcing his way to Charlotte now?

Harden loves Morey more. Morey gives Harden everything he wants.

[meh]

Is James Harden forcing his way to Charlotte now?

He wouldn't have to force anything. He could just opt out and go.

[dubbmotta]

Perfect fit for Melo, Terry and Bridges..should be very exciting to watch.

[madmaxmedia]

Is James Harden forcing his way to Charlotte now?

Harden loves Morey more. Morey gives Harden everything he wants.

Why hasn’t Morey hired D’Antoni already???

[mtcan]

Is James Harden forcing his way to Charlotte now?

He wouldn't have to force anything. He could just opt out and go.

He could opt out but he isn't playing for the minimum and the Hornets don't have max cap space to sign him to a bigger contract. So...James gonna have to pout his way off the Sixers to play for D'Antoni.

This seems to be how James operates.

[tigerae]

LOL, D'Antoni getting yet another HC spot without anything to show on his resume other than early playoff exits and lack of ability to make meaningful changes in the playoffs. At least the Lakers didn't really consider bringing him back. Not that the Lakers are doing much better so far in their HC hunt.

[dubbmotta]

LOL, D'Antoni getting yet another HC spot without anything to show on his resume other than early playoff exits and lack of ability to make meaningful changes in the playoffs. At least the Lakers didn't really consider bringing him back. Not that the Lakers are doing much better so far in their HC hunt.

He fits the roster, Hornets will never be a contender, play exciting ball, sell some tickets off that excitement and try to get in the 6-8 range…he can do that on the East. No big expectations in CHA…heck Mike Brown got another chance, Alving Gentry, Doc etc. why can’t this guy?

[TheCage4]

So they’ll put up 120ppg and allow 130ppg. Seems like a good move.

[Scalabrine]

Calling it now, D'Antoni will coach for a year then move into the GM role and promote the lead assistant he hires while Kupchak retires/moves to be a team president

Seems like a reasonable call as long as everything goes well enough.

I think theyre better off going in a defensive direction but Mike D'Antoni would help Ball become a superstar and he always seems to get the most out of his role players.

[Pickled Prunes]

LOL, D'Antoni getting yet another HC spot without anything to show on his resume other than early playoff exits and lack of ability to make meaningful changes in the playoffs. At least the Lakers didn't really consider bringing him back. Not that the Lakers are doing much better so far in their HC hunt.

Nothing to show but a .650 win% over 5 seasons in PHX and a .682 win% over 4 seasons in HOU. He has a .560 win% overall, including coaching two tanking teams, one of which was your beloved LAL. He's a 2x COY and a 10x COM. He will someday be a HOF coach. He's better than you think he is ... get used to it.

It isn't Mikes fault that Kobe would refuse to run his system or let Nash be the PG. It also isn't D'Antoni's fault that Nash and Dwight were injured., or that they decided to tank. Just like it wasn't Vogel's fault that the Lakers sucked this season. A coach can only plan; he can not execute. That's the players job.

And everyone likes to get cute about his poor defensive stats. Yeah, they aren't great. He coached Nash/Amare, then Melo/Amare then Harden and... well, isn't Harden enough. Yet somehow those teams found success. (The Knicks was tough because of injuries and, like Kobe, Melo didn't want to get coached.) D'Antoni gets the most out of his players, from top to bottom. I don't believe Nash, Nash or Harden earn MVP's with out him. I know that LIn never gets more than the minimum without him.

I know that LAL fans had such high hopes for that team, but your blame and frustration are misplaced.

[imDatknicksTape]

Def Wyt privilege, this guy keeps getting jobs smh