OT: Lakers hire D'Antoni

[Mainstreet]

Fools gold D'antoni.
.473 career playoff record.
The light switch just seemed to "shut off" when the games started to count.

My little sister could gameplan for Pringles in a 7 game series.

How do you explain two appearances in the WCFs plus four consecutive 50 win seasons in Phoenix if DA were fools gold. One has to beat some good teams to get to the WCFs. I think DA knocked the Lakers out of the playoffs twice... they remember.

 

[Bodha]

How do you explain two appearances in the WCFs plus four consecutive 50 win seasons in Phoenix if DA were fools gold. One has to beat some good teams to get to the WCFs. I think DA knocked the Lakers out of the playoffs twice... they remember.

Has everyone forgotten about his stint in New York?

Yes, he was a good coach in Phoenix, YEARS ago.



As far as talent and big market, NY is closer to LA than Phx was. His Knicks team was the most dysfunctional team in the NBA. Why is there this belief that hes such an amazing HC? I like the guy, but I dont think this is going to be a good fit at all.

 

[FArting]

Enjoyed those playoff runs with Mike as head coach.

I have to blame Sarver and upper management during those years for not getting us a championship.

 

[Mainstreet]

Has everyone forgotten about his stint in New York?

Yes, he was a good coach in Phoenix, YEARS ago.



As far as talent and big market, NY is closer to LA than Phx was. His Knicks team was the most dysfunctional team in the NBA. Why is there this belief that hes such an amazing HC? I like the guy, but I dont think this is going to be a good fit at all.

No doubt DA does not come close to walking on water but he knows how to let good players play their style of game. It seemed like NY never could get the right mix of players. In LA, DA has a good core of players to work with from the start although he may need to add another shooter. I think DA is a player's coach and this will help him suceed in LA as much as anything.

 

[Chaplin]

Enjoyed those playoff runs with Mike as head coach.

I have to blame Sarver and upper management during those years for not getting us a championship.

Remember, Antoni was also our GM in his final years until Kerr came in, and Sarver or no, he hurt us more than helped up in that role.

 

[BC867]

How do you explain two appearances in the WCFs plus four consecutive 50 win seasons in Phoenix if DA were fools gold. One has to beat some good teams to get to the WCFs. I think DA knocked the Lakers out of the playoffs twice... they remember.

With Cobe and Howard plus Gasol and Nash, the Lakers want nothing less than an NBA championship. Considering D'Antoni's .473 playoff record, he is certainly not a proven commodity to accomplish that. Especially with his two no-D deficiencies -- defend and develop.

A reasonable prediction would be him wearing out his welcome in L.A. as he did in Phx and N.Y. Especially with, as previously posted, the players being better coaches than he. Which means that for the Lakers to win it all, it would have to be in spite of D'Antoni.

Hiring him because he coached Nash in his prime and Kobe liked him when D'Antoni played Point Guard in Italy is not the basis for leading a team to a championship. And to be committed to a 3-year contract?

 

[Mainstreet]

With Cobe and Howard plus Gasol and Nash, the Lakers want nothing less than an NBA championship. Considering D'Antoni's .473 playoff record, he is certainly not a proven commodity to accomplish that. Especially with his two no-D deficiencies -- defend and develop.

A reasonable prediction would be him wearing out his welcome in L.A. as he did in Phx and N.Y. Especially with, as previously posted, the players being better coaches than he. Which means that for the Lakers to win it all, it would have to be in spite of D'Antoni.

Hiring him because he coached Nash in his prime and Kobe liked him when D'Antoni played Point Guard in Italy is not the basis for leading a team to a championship. And to be committed to a 3-year contract?

That's pocket change for the Lakers. If DA doesn't workout he will probably be gone next season. Letting players play up to their potential is not as easy as it sounds. I'm thinking Gasol may be the primary beneficiary of DA being there. DA loves a big man with skills although I'm not sure how it all works with Howard.

 

[SirStefan32]

With Cobe and Howard plus Gasol and Nash, the Lakers want nothing less than an NBA championship. Considering D'Antoni's .473 playoff record, he is certainly not a proven commodity to accomplish that. Especially with his two no-D deficiencies -- defend and develop.

A reasonable prediction would be him wearing out his welcome in L.A. as he did in Phx and N.Y. Especially with, as previously posted, the players being better coaches than he. Which means that for the Lakers to win it all, it would have to be in spite of D'Antoni.

Hiring him because he coached Nash in his prime and Kobe liked him when D'Antoni played Point Guard in Italy is not the basis for leading a team to a championship. And to be committed to a 3-year contract?

Some of you guys really don't give D'Antoni enough credit. He has his issues, that's for sure, but having Howard in the middle is much different than having Amare in the middle when it comes to defense.

Offensively, D'Antoni teams would get in a lot of trouble when the other team would pressure Nash, especially late in some playoff games. Suns didn't have Kobe Bryant on the perimeter or Dwight and Pau down low.

Not saying this is going to work, but comparing the current Lakers to the old Suns just doesn't make any sense. The two teams are much different.

 

[TJ]

Screaming A Smith made a good point this morning in saying that Pau Gasol might be traded midseason for some perimeter help. Makes sense if the team already has P&R help but no one on the perimeter to make shots.

 

[AzStevenCal]

With Cobe and Howard plus Gasol and Nash, the Lakers want nothing less than an NBA championship. Considering D'Antoni's .473 playoff record, he is certainly not a proven commodity to accomplish that. Especially with his two no-D deficiencies -- defend and develop.

A reasonable prediction would be him wearing out his welcome in L.A. as he did in Phx and N.Y. Especially with, as previously posted, the players being better coaches than he. Which means that for the Lakers to win it all, it would have to be in spite of D'Antoni.

Hiring him because he coached Nash in his prime and Kobe liked him when D'Antoni played Point Guard in Italy is not the basis for leading a team to a championship. And to be committed to a 3-year contract?

I don't know what happened in New York but I'd bet my house, my car, and my neighbor's dog that he didn't truly wear out his welcome in Phoenix. The internet and sports talk radio world does not equal the viewing public. Go door to door throughout the valley and I'll bet the vast majority of fans think well of Mike and wish we hadn't parted ways with him.

I don't think Mike was perfect, far from it, but he gets a bad rap here, IMO. We'll never know what was truly behind his comments and reasoning regarding rookies and their development. Watching him in New York though I think it's safe to say he either changed his stance or his comments were in support of the direction Sarver wanted to go (saving money where possible). I also wish he had been a little less thin-skinned there at the end but still, I'm grateful for some of the most entertaining sports moments of my life.

Steve

 

[Chaplin]

Now this is simply a question, not based on any rumors or anything:

If the reports are to be believed, Phil Jackson was "stunned" at the hire. If he really wants to return to coaching, and it is a cold day in hell, would Sarver ever in a million years approach Phil to find out if he would coach the Suns? Close to LA, and he would probably get a lot of say in personnel decisions, which is what he wanted. And would you be satisfied with the possibility?

Again, this is just a question that didn't come from anywhere, just my warped mind.

 

[PDXChris]

Now this is simply a question, not based on any rumors or anything:

If the reports are to be believed, Phil Jackson was "stunned" at the hire. If he really wants to return to coaching, and it is a cold day in hell, would Sarver ever in a million years approach Phil to find out if he would coach the Suns? Close to LA, and he would probably get a lot of say in personnel decisions, which is what he wanted. And would you be satisfied with the possibility?

Again, this is just a question that didn't come from anywhere, just my warped mind.

I see the Clippers before the Suns. That actaully would be great to see.

 

[HooverDam]

Good heavens people on this board are so anti D'Antoni its beyond silly. The guy is a terrific coach, is he flawless? Of course not. But its not his fault that Joe Johnson broke his face, or that Sarver didnt resign Johnson, or that Amar'e and Boris got suspended for a ridiculous thing, etc, etc.

Those claiming the Lakers personal doesn't fit D'Antoni's system...wow. He doesn't have the 3 point shooters he did in PHX, but its not as if the guy is too stupid to make modifications to the system. This LA roster more closely resembles the Team USA rosters that weren't exactly loaded w/ 3 point specialists and D'Antoni was fine there.

On offense I'm sure you'll see a lot of pick and pop with Nash & Pau as the primary set. Thats a pretty devastating combo. How does a team defend that? if they try to double/trap the popping Pau, that likely leaves Dwight open down low for an easy dunk. Or it means Nash keeps the ball because his man went to Pau and he's open for a jumper. Or it means Kobe's man came off him and he can get the ball in the corner and take it to the hole.

Those saying D'Antoni can't deal with 2 big men and then sight Amar'e and Shaq not working....I just don't get that. Amar'e and Shaq are both power players who need to be near the rim. Pau can play down low, but he can also operate out of the high post and shoot much better than Amar'e ever could.

Antwan Jamison will also benefit from having D'Antoni at the helm. When Howard sits down, Pau slides to the 5 and Antwan fits right in. Its too bad for LAL that Grant Hill ended up at LAC, I'm sure he's regretting that now. It never made any sense to me that he went to the Clippers anyhow, they have too many SFs and LAL has too few.

Having Kobe also means you can rest Nash a lot more as Kobe is an excellent ball handler, so its less likely that Nash gets worn into dust. Remember how Joe Johnson would do that sort of role in 04-05? Kobe's just a bit better than JJ ever was.

Defensively of course Nash is still a turn style, but they should be able to funnel people towards Howard and at least have some protection on the back line.

I'm sure everyone here will be gloating from the roof tops if LA doesn't win a title this year. And using ridiculously unfunny puns like " 'Antoni" or "Dumb'toni", you're all brilliant comedians to be sure. But remember, the Heat didn't win it all in year 1 either. These sorts of things can take time. And even if LA does make the playoffs and loses to Miami, is their a ton of shame in that? I don't think so.

 

[HooverDam]

Now this is simply a question, not based on any rumors or anything:

If the reports are to be believed, Phil Jackson was "stunned" at the hire. If he really wants to return to coaching, and it is a cold day in hell, would Sarver ever in a million years approach Phil to find out if he would coach the Suns? Close to LA, and he would probably get a lot of say in personnel decisions, which is what he wanted. And would you be satisfied with the possibility?

Again, this is just a question that didn't come from anywhere, just my warped mind.

Phil Jackson, a guy who only coaches when he has multiple hall of famers on his roster, is not going to have any interest in a rebuilding project in PHX.

 

[Phrazbit]

Now this is simply a question, not based on any rumors or anything:

If the reports are to be believed, Phil Jackson was "stunned" at the hire. If he really wants to return to coaching, and it is a cold day in hell, would Sarver ever in a million years approach Phil to find out if he would coach the Suns? Close to LA, and he would probably get a lot of say in personnel decisions, which is what he wanted. And would you be satisfied with the possibility?

Again, this is just a question that didn't come from anywhere, just my warped mind.

No. Barring the Suns landing several of the 10-15 best players in the league Phil Jackson will not be our coach. The guy has arguably the greatest coaching legacy in NBA history, and he has only coached absolutely stacked teams, he wouldnt for a moment consider this train wreck of a roster. I dont see him even answering the phone for any team that is not a title favorite.

 

[Chaplin]

Phil Jackson, a guy who only coaches when he has multiple hall of famers on his roster, is not going to have any interest in a rebuilding project in PHX.

Thanks for that. I guess you missed the part where I posed the question as IF he had interest. And you don't think Sarver would at least reach out?

 

[HooverDam]

Thanks for that. I guess you missed the part where I posed the question as IF he had interest. And you don't think Sarver would at least reach out?

Why would Sarver reach out? I can't imagine him doing that. Phil would cost a ton of money, want a bunch of power than we don't know Sarver would be willing to give.

I don't see it as a good fit for Sarver or Phil Jackson, sorry.


Now LAC...just for spite? Thats a possibility. Vinny Del Negro is terrible and never should've been hired in the 1st place. But that also requires Donald Sterling to poney up cash (unlikely) and LAC's roster isn't really fit for the triangle. Actually LACs roster is pretty suited for a D'Antoni style offense that would resemble the early 7 Seconds or Less teams. They'd likely be somewhat slower as CP3 doesn't like to get out and run, but they'd be great w/ P&R action.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Problems with this concerning the Lakers:

1. Pop owns Antoni. Pure and simple.
2. Lakers aren't young and athletic enough to run with OKC or Miami which is what they'd need to do in Antoni's system.

If the Lakers coincide this with flipping Gasol for some parts that can play more up tempo I can see it but until then I don't see it working. They'll still make the playoffs and such but look like 2nd round fodder to me.

agreed.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Screaming A Smith made a good point this morning in saying that Pau Gasol might be traded midseason for some perimeter help. Makes sense if the team already has P&R help but no one on the perimeter to make shots.

i can totally see this happening, but what can they realistically get for him? Maybe they deal him to someone for a stretch 4... like a Ryan Anderson and a back up PG. That would probably work pretty well in that system. As of right now, in order to run the Nash/DA system, you need three shooters on the perimeter for Nash to be able to kick to. Right now... he has... uh... none.

Hell, you know what would probably be a smoking deal for them? If they were somehow able to swing Pau for Dudley/Frye... oh wait... Frye's out for the year, huh? nevermind.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Good heavens people on this board are so anti D'Antoni its beyond silly. The guy is a terrific coach, is he flawless? Of course not. But its not his fault that Joe Johnson broke his face, or that Sarver didnt resign Johnson, or that Amar'e and Boris got suspended for a ridiculous thing, etc, etc.

Those claiming the Lakers personal doesn't fit D'Antoni's system...wow. He doesn't have the 3 point shooters he did in PHX, but its not as if the guy is too stupid to make modifications to the system.

his entire run with the Suns (and hell, even Knicks) says you're wrong. The guy was starting James FREAKING Jones and playing him major minutes instead of KT in the 2007-8 season because he wanted HIS system to work. Then, he tried to turn Grant Hill into a standstill 3 point shooter the next year. the guy is as stubborn as it comes and has never shown the ability to make modifications to his system.

This LA roster more closely resembles the Team USA rosters that weren't exactly loaded w/ 3 point specialists and D'Antoni was fine there.

he also wasn't the HEAD COACH there, so bringing that up seems pretty moot... not to mention, he ain't exactly facing Angola in the NBA.

On offense I'm sure you'll see a lot of pick and pop with Nash & Pau as the primary set. Thats a pretty devastating combo. How does a team defend that? if they try to double/trap the popping Pau, that likely leaves Dwight open down low for an easy dunk. Or it means Nash keeps the ball because his man went to Pau and he's open for a jumper. Or it means Kobe's man came off him and he can get the ball in the corner and take it to the hole.

and herein lies the rub... the above basically just made Kobe the FOURTH option. That ain't gonna work for Kobe.

Those saying D'Antoni can't deal with 2 big men and then sight Amar'e and Shaq not working....I just don't get that. Amar'e and Shaq are both power players who need to be near the rim. Pau can play down low, but he can also operate out of the high post and shoot much better than Amar'e ever could.

uh... no. Amare was a pretty dead-eye mid-range shooter during our hey-day and he could attack the basket much better than Pau in his prime. The idea that Amare needed to be at the rim just doesn't jive at all with what his game used to be. He was always a face-up offensive player who could stick the mid-range of get past slower defenders to take it to the rack.

Antwan Jamison will also benefit from having D'Antoni at the helm. When Howard sits down, Pau slides to the 5 and Antwan fits right in.

now, this is a good point and Jamison would be the perfect stretch 4 for this team... if he wasn't 80 years old. That being said, I do think he'll benefit from Nash being there and probably ends up being the starter if Pau is traded for perimeter help. But, at that point, you're starting lineup might is about as old as the starting lineup for the Shuffleboard Shufflers down at my grandma's old folks home.

Its too bad for LAL that Grant Hill ended up at LAC, I'm sure he's regretting that now. It never made any sense to me that he went to the Clippers anyhow, they have too many SFs and LAL has too few.

Having Kobe also means you can rest Nash a lot more as Kobe is an excellent ball handler, so its less likely that Nash gets worn into dust. Remember how Joe Johnson would do that sort of role in 04-05? Kobe's just a bit better than JJ ever was.

Defensively of course Nash is still a turn style, but they should be able to funnel people towards Howard and at least have some protection on the back line.

I'm sure everyone here will be gloating from the roof tops if LA doesn't win a title this year. And using ridiculously unfunny puns like " 'Antoni" or "Dumb'toni", you're all brilliant comedians to be sure. But remember, the Heat didn't win it all in year 1 either. These sorts of things can take time. And even if LA does make the playoffs and loses to Miami, is their a ton of shame in that? I don't think so.

when you have 4 HOFs on your team and you're the Lakers, hell yes there's shame to losing to anyone and if DA can't win with THIS ridiculous collection of talent... well... then... he'll be the fraud most of us already think he is.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

I think he gets into the finals because outside of Detroit, the team with the best players wins.

 

[Mulli]

I think he gets into the finals because outside of Detroit, the team with the best players wins.

Wager!

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Wager!

Even Vegas gives odds. Speaking of, I will check those next week when I am there for the Las Vegas Invitational.

 

[SunsTzu]

The guy was starting James FREAKING Jones and playing him major minutes instead of KT in the 2007-8 season because he wanted HIS system to work.

.

Completely incorrect, even the timeline is off.

he also wasn't the HEAD COACH there, so bringing that up seems pretty moot... not to mention, he ain't exactly facing Angola in the NBA.

Coach K has stated that they were running D'Antoni's offense and has even recommended D'Antoni as his replacement. Though it has no real bearing on the NBA

and herein lies the rub... the above basically just made Kobe the FOURTH option. That ain't gonna work for Kobe.

Kobe is a very capable playmaker, I wouldn't doubt D'Antoni's ability to make use of him.

when you have 4 HOFs on your team and you're the Lakers, hell yes there's shame to losing to anyone and if DA can't win with THIS ridiculous collection of talent... well... then... he'll be the fraud most of us already think he is.

Mike Brown is a fraud.

D'Antoni may be flawed but he's still better than the guys leading every other contender with the exception of Pop.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

The Suns got to the Western Conference finals with no one close to the talent of Kobe and Howard on that team.

Playoffs who knows, but this is going to look like a really impressive team by January.

I don't think they will suck by any means, but the Suns had players who were perfect for the 7SOL/PnR system that D'Antony runs. I think the Lakers could be deadly in the PnR, but not too sure about the 7SOL part of it.