OT: Mike D'Antoni steps down as Lakers head coach

[Cheesebeef]

Yeah, Popovich respects D'Antoni so much that he had the Spurs spot the Suns a double-digit lead in practically every playoff game they ever had, knowing that the Suns would fold down the stretch because they weren't mentally strong on the defensive end. Thanks for nothing, Pop.

seriously... he's probably using his jedi mind trick to get DA BACK on the Laker sidelines because he knows that's an easy W.

 

[BC867]

It's amazing how often you bring this up without ever acknowledging that there are just as many instances, if not more, of small lineups defeating big ones. Yes, including in the playoffs.

This thread is about D'Antoni, which led to who many think was our best coach, Cotton.

My comment was about Cotton and how, in an undermanned situation, his KC/Omaha Kings still eliminated the Suns in the playoffs. He knew what it took to beat a favored team in the playoffs -- power -- even with a depleted team. I have always admired him for that.

Which is why I agree that Cotton was our best overall Head Coach.

Regarding the point you made about just as many instances, if not more, of small lineups defeating big ones, I think, specifically, that most fans will agree that power at the "4" and/or "5" during the post-season will produce better playoff results than "small" when the league (refs) allow more physical play.

I have a feeling you would agree with that conclusion.

 

[JustWinBaby]

word's been the same out here in Los Angeles for the last two years, with Kobe, Pau and Howard all talking about how they need to focus more on D and not this run and gun style.

And isn't the proof is in the pudding in regards to DA's ability or inability to coach D? His teams are routinely atrocious defensively, ranking in the bottom of the league.

That is just not true.

However when you keep repeating the same lies over and over you start believing them. It really in annoying reading this garbage.

We were about middle of the pack based on points per possession when MDA was here. After he left we got worse every year, with basically the same players and different coaches.

After Mike left why didn't the great Steve Kerr get Thibodeau anyway?

Why did the players revolt on his choice of MDA's replacement?

Why is every failure during his era always his fault?

It is really hard to read all the lies that are put out on this board in regards to MDA.

Let it go. He was a good coach, not a great coach. He surely is not as horrible as most make him out to be.

 

[Errntknght]

JustWinBaby:

Let it go. He was a good coach, not a great coach. He surely is not as horrible as most make him out to be.

He was successful in the regular season (here, at least) as his record indicates but NBA basketball is about the playoffs where the methods that worked in the regular season failed. Its not too surprising as he learned the game in Europe - with shorter seasons, shorter games and, most importantly, no 7 game series, which are refereed differently than the regular season games. Heck, he might well have been the ideal coach if we were going to have a national team competing in FIBA events.

Its speculation I grant but I think if it weren't for the 'fortuitous' coming together of he and Steve Nash, he'd be a footnote in Jerry Colangelo's bio - his Italian experiment.

 

[Covert Rain]

I expect you are talking about Amare complaining about how he never was taught defense by MDA.

Sure glad he went to New York and became a great defender after MDA left town. How many all defensive teams has he made after he left town? I know Nash didn't make one, did Amare?

As I remember from Amare's days in Phoenix every time he tried to play defense he got into foul trouble and Mike had no bigs on the bench to replace him. That was when he wasn't on the IR.

I am talking about multiple players with the Suns, Knicks, Lakers and media from his last 3 stops who participated or watched his practices. I am talking about his own philosophy which is laid out in 7 seconds or less. You are acting like this is new news when in fact it's been consistent every place he has coached.

That is just not true.

However when you keep repeating the same lies over and over you start believing them. It really in annoying reading this garbage.

We were about middle of the pack based on points per possession when MDA was here. After he left we got worse every year, with basically the same players and different coaches.

Dude seriously? Mike's best year ever was when they went 62-20....sounds great until you realize they were the worst in the NBA at giving up points at 103.3. Come on. Was he the worst coach ever? No, I don't think so but he was a one trick pony, one dimensional coach who can't get it done in the playoffs. One of the reasons they went out and got the likes of a Raja Bell was to force defense into the lineup. That only takes you so far. The Suns could play defense in stretches but in the playoffs when it counted they were exposed and badly. His teams were NOTORIOUS for not getting stops when it counted.

He coached one of the best guards on the planet and had one of the best rosters and failed. He followed that up in two of the biggest markets on the planet and didn't even sniff titles. How much more proof do you need? You accuse others of believing lies but it sounds like you are trying to convince yourself.

 

[Phrazbit]

All that needs to be said about Mike D is this:

2012 Knicks under Mike D: 18-24

2012 Knicks under Mike Woodson: 18-6

Seriously... the guy made Mike Woodson look like Pat Riley. Mike D'Antoni is not the worst coach of all time... but he is a baaaaad coach who needs to be in an absolutely perfect situation for success. His record speaks for itself.

 

[AzStevenCal]

All that needs to be said about Mike D is this:

2012 Knicks under Mike D: 18-24

2012 Knicks under Mike Woodson: 18-6

Seriously... the guy made Mike Woodson look like Pat Riley. Mike D'Antoni is not the worst coach of all time... but he is a baaaaad coach who needs to be in an absolutely perfect situation for success. His record speaks for itself.

Without stepping into the Dantoni argument, I'd say this was more an indictment of Carmelo Anthony than Mike Dantoni. He clearly did not want to play for Mike D. Overnight he went from being a horrible player to a dominant one and that had nothing to do with Woodson's superior coaching.

Steve

 

[BC867]

Without stepping into the Dantoni argument, I'd say this was more an indictment of Carmelo Anthony than Mike Dantoni. He clearly did not want to play for Mike D. Overnight he went from being a horrible player to a dominant one and that had nothing to do with Woodson's superior coaching.

Steve

A star player not wanting to play for Mike D'Antoni, then coming alive when he left, is not an indictment of D'Antoni??

Motivating spoiled millionaire NBA superstars is part of the job of coaching. Not accomplishing it is a failure. Just ask Paul Westhead about his tenure with the Lakers.

Likewise, D'Antoni was a failure in L.A. as well as N.Y. (the NBA's two biggest markets) but why his limited coaching skills produced a flashy team in Phoenix. Not a championship contender, but a flashy team. Or, to put it another way, the ol' 50-and-fade.

To this day, I am shocked that the Lakers front office didn't know better.

 

[AzStevenCal]

A star player not wanting to play for Mike D'Antoni, then coming alive when he left, is not an indictment of D'Antoni??

Motivating spoiled millionaire NBA superstars is part of the job of coaching. Not accomplishing it is a failure. Just ask Paul Westhead about his tenure with the Lakers.

Likewise, D'Antoni was a failure in L.A. as well as N.Y. (the NBA's two biggest markets) but why his limited coaching skills produced a flashy team in Phoenix. Not a championship contender, but a flashy team. Or, to put it another way, the ol' 50-and-fade.

To this day, I am shocked that the Lakers front office didn't know better.

In the NBA? Of course it's not. Was Popovich a bad coach because he couldn't motivate or control Dennis Rodman? Mike was already hanging by a thread when Carmelo decided to get him fired. I'm going to ignore your other points, I have no desire to get into an argument over whether Dantoni is a good coach or not. No one here is going to change their opinion on this one.

 

[Cheesebeef]

In the NBA? Of course it's not. Was Popovich a bad coach because he couldn't motivate or control Dennis Rodman?

Pop never coached Dennis Rodman.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Pop never coached Dennis Rodman.

You're right. I was lazy. Besides, Pop makes my point much better than Hill or Lucas.

 

[Superbone]

And regardless how any of us feel about D'Antoni that Tweet by Magic Johnson was a real dick move. Seriously, who does that?

I've known some people who were really bad at their job and they eventually got fired and while not surprising I was not celebrating when they finally got the axe. That's just classless.

Because Magic was such a great coach I guess he figures he's entitled.

 

[mojorizen7]

If he goes back to Europe i had his career arc predicted years ago.

 

[Mainstreet]

If he goes back to Europe i had his career arc predicted years ago.

Italy might sound good to Mike D'Antoni about right now although I doubt if he is ready to go back there to coach.

 

[sunsfan88]

If the Warriors actually go through with it and (foolishly) fire Mark Jackson, I can see them taking a flyer on D'Antoni.

Warriors have all the right personnel for D'Antoni's system while also having the one thing that his prime Suns didn't have...a defensive/rebounding C in Bogut. His health is a whole different issue however.

Wolves could be a viable option for him as well though I see the Warriors as a better fit.

 

[SirStefan32]

If the Warriors actually go through with it and (foolishly) fire Mark Jackson, I can see them taking a flyer on D'Antoni.

Warriors have all the right personnel for D'Antoni's system while also having the one thing that his prime Suns didn't have...a defensive/rebounding C in Bogut. His health is a whole different issue however.

Wolves could be a viable option for him as well though I see the Warriors as a better fit.

There is no chance in hell Mike would play Bogut AND Lee.

 

[Mainstreet]

The Warriors have a boatload of money tied up in Bogut, Lee and Iguodala.

Stephen Curry is a good contract though.

http://hoopshype.com/salaries/golden_state.htm

 

[sunsfan88]

There is no chance in hell Mike would play Bogut AND Lee.

I don't think he would have a choice, we all just saw that the Warriors aren't good enough to advance without Bogut.