Mike D'Antoni Is Lakers' New Coach
Phil Jackson was the man everyone seemed to want.
D'Antoni.
But it was former Suns coach Mike D'Antoni who got the job as the next coach of the Lakers following the abrupt firing of Mike Brown at the team's dismal 1-4 mark this season.
According to a team statement Lakers spokesman John Black ...
... confirmed on Sunday night that the team has signed Mike D'Antoni to a multi-year contract.
The Los Angeles Times reports that Antoni got a three-year, $12 million dollar deal, with an option to stay on for a fourth year.
Sources told the paper Jackson wanted too much, including a stake in team ownership.
According to the Lakers' statement:
Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss, executive vice president Jim Buss and general manager Mitch Kupchak were unanimous that D'Antoni was the best coach for the team at this time.Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash both expressed support for the idea of playing for D'Antoni, who was Nash's coach in Phoenix when the point guard won consecutive MVP awards in 2005 and 2006.
[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]
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