Los Angeles Lakers seek new Head Coach?

[EArl]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/23 ... ke-DAntoni
Via Wiretap

Kobe Bryant has "no interest" in playing for Mike D'Antoni next season with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to sources. Bryant wants a new coach in place for the start of the 14-15 season.

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith reported on Wednesday that he heard D'Antoni would be fired as well and that the Lakers' pursuit of Carmelo Anthony would be the reason.

Bryant was ruled out for the season on Wednesday.

“Obviously this has been a frustrating and disappointing season,” Bryant said in a statement released by the Lakers, “but I appreciate all the support I’ve received from the Lakers and the fans, and look forward to being back and ready for the start of training camp.”

Someone mentioned that sporting news might not be a reliable source.
Either way no point in doing anything until the end of the season. Also what coach would we hire if we fire Mike at the end of the season. I know people want Phil, but i think he's done and we should move along.

edit

Mike' D'Antoni should start practicing his "I was just fired" strut.

Speaking on ESPN's First Take, Stephen A. Smith suggested that D'Antoni's first full season as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers could also be his last.

"I had a source tell me last night [that] Mike D’Antoni is gone at the end of the season," Smith said (h/t Lakers Nation's Corey Hansford). "He won’t be there [...] I’m just telling you, that’s the word coming out of L.A."

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1989910-espns-stephen-a-smith-mike-dantoni-will-be-fired-after-2013-14-season

[tugs]

[Frantik]

With a 22-42 record and little hope of further improvement, Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni is merely coaching out the string this year in Los Angeles—and likely won’t be back next season.

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith reported on Wednesday morning that he had heard D’Antoni would be out, and that the Lakers’ potential pursuit of free-agent Carmelo Anthony would be the reason. But multiple sources told Sporting News that the reason for D’Antoni’s potential dismissal is closer to home—star guard Kobe Bryant.

Bryant, sources said, has “no interest” in playing for D’Antoni next season, and wants a new coach in place for the 2014-15 season.

http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2014-03-12/kobe-bryant-knee-injury-shut-down-lakers-coach-mike-dantoni-carmelo-anthony-nba-free-agency-2014?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Mike' D'Antoni should start practicing his "I was just fired" strut.

Speaking on ESPN's First Take, Stephen A. Smith suggested that D'Antoni's first full season as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers could also be his last.

"I had a source tell me last night [that] Mike D’Antoni is gone at the end of the season," Smith said (h/t Lakers Nation's Corey Hansford). "He won’t be there [...] I’m just telling you, that’s the word coming out of L.A."

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1989910-espns-stephen-a-smith-mike-dantoni-will-be-fired-after-2013-14-season

I know you guys want MDA out as much as i do (although i don't want Carmelo).
I do hope its true that he's practicing his "i was just fired" strut"!

What do you make of these reports? Discuss...

[Frantik]

dammit EArl!
You won the race...

[myersia]

At this point in the season it really doesn't make a difference if we fire MDA or not. I wake up everyday hoping he will just quit on his own any day now. I hope that we take time to actually find a coach that is defensive minded while also remembering that his style of play needs to fit Kobe. We have Kobe for two more years and we need a coach that can coach Kobe while also helping us improve for the next several years.

My wish list (Doesn't include Phil who is the obvious number 1 choice but seems highly unlikely)

1ABCDEFGHI.....) Thibbs: If the Bulls let him go offer him everything and anything he wants!
2) Stan Van Gundy: I think Stan is an extremely underrated coach. I think Stan would be a great addition to the lakers.
3) Jeff Van Gundy: Likely not going to happen. But would be a great choice.
4) If fired for some reason Ric Carlisle would be a dream.

We need a coach who has the balls to challenge Kobe. No more passive attitudes such as Mike Brown or MDA. We need a jerk like Phil. Thibbs and either Van Gundy will and can do this.

On a side note: Lee could you imagine the backlash either of us would have gotten if we made this thread . No offense whatsoever to Earl as this thread is a needed thread and I do enjoy your posts but enjoy your eye candy the most !

[Ckay]

it means Melo is coming lol

[Wavy Q]

For the love of god please no Carmelo

[AcecardZ]

Do not want MDA so if he is indeed out I won't cry. Things just haven't gone well since his arrival and it's time to head another direction.

Do not want Melo either for obvious reasons but with that said I don't completely rule out the possibility that a top draft pick, healthy Kobe, reinvigorated Pau Gasol (lol I know) and Carmelo could make the nucleus of a formidable team for the next year or two. Tons of factors are in play but it's not totally outside the realm of possibility is it. Ewwww our defense though.

[Michael Lucky]

I want to replace that contract.

[gotokyo]

:jacknicholsongif:

Sent from my Nexus 5 using RealGM Forums mobile app

[LApwnd]

For the love of god please no Carmelo

hopefully unlike the moron in Hou, Melo will want his money and stay in NY

[dockingsched]

if true hopefully its a coach in the mold of frank vogel, brad stevens, and jeff hornacek. no byron scott / george karl stuff.

[tugs]

no love for any of our assistant coaches? tbh I'd like to take the Spoelstra route but experimenting new coaches shouldn't be done while Kobe is playing.

coaches with cojones would be ideal. I can just imagine SVG andJVG doing that with Kobe.

[Kilroy]

if true hopefully its a coach in the mold of frank vogel, brad stevens, and jeff hornacek. no byron scott / george karl stuff.

I agree, but the only way Kobe goes public with this now is because he wants Phil... Which I agree is perhaps faulty logic, considering no coach in the league is getting 17m per and a minority share...
But this has nothing to do with any other coaches...

[dockingsched]

if true hopefully its a coach in the mold of frank vogel, brad stevens, and jeff hornacek. no byron scott / george karl stuff.

I agree, but the only way Kobe goes public with this now is because he wants Phil... Which I agree is perhaps faulty logic, considering no coach in the league is getting 17m per and a minority share...
But this has nothing to do with any other coaches...

i guess i was more replying to the post that the lakers are going to replace him and not so much that kobe wants him replaced. don't think what kobe wants will be that much of a factor, lakers will do what they think is best whether kobe agrees or not imo.

[EArl]

if true hopefully its a coach in the mold of frank vogel, brad stevens, and jeff hornacek. no byron scott / george karl stuff.

I agree, but the only way Kobe goes public with this now is because he wants Phil... Which I agree is perhaps faulty logic, considering no coach in the league is getting 17m per and a minority share...
But this has nothing to do with any other coaches...

i guess i was more replying to the post that the lakers are going to replace him and not so much that kobe wants him replaced. don't think what kobe wants will be that much of a factor, lakers will do what they think is best whether kobe agrees or not imo.

Pretty much this. The Lakers have never given a player what they want in terms of coaches or free agents. They always do what they think it's best for the organization and it has worked for us in the past.

[Edrees]

I agree, but the only way Kobe goes public with this now is because he wants Phil... Which I agree is perhaps faulty logic, considering no coach in the league is getting 17m per and a minority share...
But this has nothing to do with any other coaches...

i guess i was more replying to the post that the lakers are going to replace him and not so much that kobe wants him replaced. don't think what kobe wants will be that much of a factor, lakers will do what they think is best whether kobe agrees or not imo.

Pretty much this. The Lakers have never given a player what they want in terms of coaches or free agents. They always do what they think it's best for the organization and it has worked for us in the past.

How has it worked in the past? The last two coaches we had were pure ****. It worked becaues dr buss knew who could coach. Now we don't, so Kobe would actually know more than whoever has been making the coach hiring decisions the past 2 coaches.

[EArl]

i guess i was more replying to the post that the lakers are going to replace him and not so much that kobe wants him replaced. don't think what kobe wants will be that much of a factor, lakers will do what they think is best whether kobe agrees or not imo.

Pretty much this. The Lakers have never given a player what they want in terms of coaches or free agents. They always do what they think it's best for the organization and it has worked for us in the past.

How has it worked in the past? The last two coaches we had were pure ****. It worked becaues dr buss knew who could coach. Now we don't, so Kobe would actually know more than whoever has been making the coach hiring decisions the past 2 coaches.

Well these two coaches aren't completely to blame.
The season with Dwight was bad due to injuries. and this season we just have bad players.
Im not saying Mike Brown or Dantoni are good coaches, but if you think that Pops or Thibs could have taken this team with the same amount of injuries we have had to the playoffs than I feel bad for you.

[Edrees]

Pretty much this. The Lakers have never given a player what they want in terms of coaches or free agents. They always do what they think it's best for the organization and it has worked for us in the past.

How has it worked in the past? The last two coaches we had were pure ****. It worked becaues dr buss knew who could coach. Now we don't, so Kobe would actually know more than whoever has been making the coach hiring decisions the past 2 coaches.

Well these two coaches aren't completely to blame.
The season with Dwight was bad due to injuries. and this season we just have bad players.
Im not saying Mike Brown or Dantoni are good coaches, but if you think that Pops or Thibs could have taken this team with the same amount of injuries we have had to the playoffs than I feel bad for you.

I agree about D'antoni, there's nothing he could have done. HOWEVER, even if we had a healthy and great team, at most he'd lead us to a 1st or 2nd round exit. He isn't a playoff coach, so I still think it was a terrible move even if he isn't to blame with how bad we are this season.

But Mike Brown started with a horrible record before any injuries. He wasn't going to get us anywhere injuries or not. Look at what he's doing in Cleveland, absolutely pathetic. Other than when he has had Lebron on his team, his coaching record is absolutely abysmal.

My point is that I think Kobe could have picked better coaches than these two guys.

[myersia]

Pretty much this. The Lakers have never given a player what they want in terms of coaches or free agents. They always do what they think it's best for the organization and it has worked for us in the past.

How has it worked in the past? The last two coaches we had were pure ****. It worked becaues dr buss knew who could coach. Now we don't, so Kobe would actually know more than whoever has been making the coach hiring decisions the past 2 coaches.

Well these two coaches aren't completely to blame.
The season with Dwight was bad due to injuries. and this season we just have bad players.
Im not saying Mike Brown or Dantoni are good coaches, but if you think that Pops or Thibs could have taken this team with the same amount of injuries we have had to the playoffs than I feel bad for you.

Definitely not the playoffs. But I do think that our record would be closer to .500. Both coaches are superior coaches than MDA imo.