NBA.com staff reports
News of the Lakers’ hiring of Mike D’Antoni as coach broke around 3 a.m. ET, and since then, Twitter has been abuzz with news of the man charged to lead Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol, Steve Nash and the rest of L.A. in their hopes of championship glory. Here, then, is the best from around the Twitter-verse:
.@DwightHoward: “You’ve got guys on this team that love to play D & he’s an offensive coach. We’ll find a balance… it’ll be great.”—
Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) November 12, 2012
.@MettaWorldPeace on D’Antoni’s system: “I think it’s a great system. Lotta open 3s.” Talked about himself & Dwight locking down the D.—
Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) November 12, 2012
B. Bickerstaff: 'I told D'antoni hurry up and take the seat; it's hot.'—
Mike Monroe (@Monroe_SA) November 12, 2012
Lakers spokesman said they were hopeful new coach Mike D'Antoni would make it to LA Wednesday and weren't sure if he'd coach Friday vs PHX.—
Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) November 12, 2012
Lakers host Spurs Tuesday and – drum roll please – D'Antoni's old Phoenix team on Friday.—
Sam Amick (@sam_amick) November 12, 2012
Official Lakers press release on the hiring of Mike D'Antoni: on.nba.com/SXuoIa—
Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) November 12, 2012
Bernie Bickerstaff said he spoke to Mike D'Antoni; the only focus for Bickerstaff is trying to beat San Antonio tomorrow night.—
Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) November 12, 2012
Lakers asst. Chuck Person has proven himself there & would be a great add as well. Widely assumed D'Antoni brings brother,Dan, & Phil Weber.—
Sam Amick (@sam_amick) November 12, 2012
It's ants at a picnic at Lakers practice, more media than I've seen since NBA Finals … where's #RealCoachPop when u need him? #SpursNation—
Mike Monroe (@Monroe_SA) November 12, 2012
Kupchak on D'Antoni: “Knowing his style of play and given the current make-up of our roster, we feel Mike is a great fit…"—
Howard Beck (@HowardBeckNYT) November 12, 2012
SLAMonline.com: Phil Jackson Reportedly Wanted to Own a Piece of the Lakers Franchise bit.ly/TBuS2N #SLAMnewswire #NBA—
SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) November 12, 2012
We already have a new head coach! I'm sure that Mike D'Antoni will help us be the team that we all want to be! #GoLakers!—
Pau Gasol (@paugasol) November 12, 2012
Phil Jackson should've just married Jeannie Buss and claimed a portion of family business.—
Shaun Powell (@Powell2daPeople) November 12, 2012
Also: people forget how incredible Nash + Mike D were together. Wrote this column during their '07 apex (26-2 streak): sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/sto…—
Bill Simmons (@sportsguy33) November 12, 2012
D'Antoni always made the most sense – great relationships with Nash/Kobe, Howard can protect him defensively, used to the spotlight…—
Bill Simmons (@sportsguy33) November 12, 2012
Imagine the look on D'Antoni's face during introductions of his first game when the crowd chants, "We want Phil."—
Peter Vecsey (@PeterVecsey1) November 12, 2012
Want to impress your friends with D'Antoni knowledge today? Check out this fact sheet about ol' Mustache Mike … sulia.com/c/la-lakers/f/…—
Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 12, 2012
The Lakers fired a coach in Mike Brown with a .653 career NBA winning pct. and brought in one in Mike D'Antoni with a .534 career pct.—
Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) November 12, 2012
Underrated angle: the D'Antoni-Jordan Hill reunion.—
Howard Beck (@HowardBeckNYT) November 12, 2012
Why Lakers' hiring of Mike D'Antoni is bad, in 7 seconds or less (From Bill Plaschke) latimes.com/sports/la-sp-p…—
lisa dillman (@reallisa) November 12, 2012
Not comparing Mike D'Antoni to Phil Jackson (no coach can), but I think people will be pleasantly surprised with the job Mike will do in LA—
Amin Elhassan (@AminESPN) November 12, 2012
From last night: Mike D'Antoni may not be Phil Jackson, but he's no Walter Mondale. Why this might work – usat.ly/SeLYEp—
Sam Amick (@sam_amick) November 12, 2012
Mike Brown had said this when asked about running D'Antoni's system with Nash. "They won a lot of games.. Where were they in May?"—
Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) November 12, 2012
So…that happened w/D'Antoni, Keyon Dooling recovers, an NFL guy runs the Hornets & more, in The Morning Tip: bitly.com/TEFAb1—
David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) November 12, 2012
Metta World Peace said Adelman and Jackson were the best coaches he ever had. You can tell he still wishes they went with Adelman last time.—
Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) November 12, 2012
Surprise! Mike D'Antoni, not Phil Jackson, gets #Lakers job, writes @SamSmithHoops in his Monday @NBA column
bit.ly/TVJIpp—
Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 12, 2012
So Lakers dumped their girlfriend, sent flowers to their true love, and just as she considered reuniting they asked someone else to Prom?—
Matt Winer (@matt_winer) November 12, 2012
Still having a hard time buying the "better fit" argument coming from Lakers explaining D'Antoni hire. LAL lacks shooters for P&R system—
Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 12, 2012
Phil Jackson won 11 championships in 20 years. If u need a ring in the next 2 years (length of Kobe's contract) how do you beat those odds?—
J.A. Adande (@jadande) November 12, 2012
If D'Antoni's first game as Lakers coach is not Friday against Phoenix — and really, that's too perfect — likely Sunday vs. Rockets.—
Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) November 12, 2012
.733/.385. Mike D'Antoni has a .733 win pct in games that Steve Nash plays in, against a .385 win pct without Nash.—
Numbers Never Lie (@ESPN_Numbers) November 12, 2012
Amazing thing to consider: D'Antoni got the Lakers gig, perhaps the best job in basketball, w/o an in-person interview. All over the phone—
Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 12, 2012
LAL once again go for glitter instead of gold—
charley rosen (@charleyrosen1) November 12, 2012
Funny in retrospect from Mike Brown on Nash and P&R's: "He did it in Phoenix…They won a lot of games.. Where were they in May?"—
Jonathan Abrams (@Jpdabrams) November 12, 2012
People who say MDA Suns were awful defensively are just wrong. They were average w/ Amare mostly at C. Average is not great, also not awful.—
Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) November 12, 2012
The Lakers believe Mike D'Antoni is something special, too. My column on what their new coach can do: bit.ly/TEkxW0—
KEVIN DING (@KevinDing) November 12, 2012
My take on the Lakers' Mike D'Antoni hiring, at @USATODAYsports: Not the popular pick, but this just might work – usat.ly/SeLYEp—
Sam Amick (@sam_amick) November 12, 2012
Laker Nation thoughts? No Phil, Mike D'Antoni in.—
Steve Smith (@steve21smith) November 12, 2012
You could waste time saying D’Antoni’s never won a title before. Point is, he’s never had a lineup like this before. It’ll be interesting—
Roland Lazenby (@lazenby) November 12, 2012
The reason: D'Antoni's offense is effective and very basic. Lot of pick and rolls, early offense. Easy to digest, quickly—
Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixSI) November 12, 2012
Phil Jackson was the first name NBA scouts, coaches said would be the best fit for Lakers. But Mike D'Antoni was always the next name—
Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixSI) November 12, 2012
Kobe Bryant tells ESPNLA "I love PJ but I'm very excited about D'Antoni"—
(@ramonashelburne) November 12, 2012
Lakers felt only Kobe, Pau, MWP would've fit triangle, that offense too complex for others to learn on the fly & it not a good fit.—
Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) November 12, 2012
Lakers insist they chose D'Antoni over Phil. Say triangle offense similar to Princeton and would not have been good fit for roster.—
Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) November 12, 2012
The Lakers don't know exactly when D'Antoni will start work, spokesman says. Bernie Bickerstaff will keep running the team until then.—
Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) November 12, 2012
Source says Phil Jackson was "stunned" when he was informed the Lakers had chosen D'Antoni. Had been told it was his job to turn down—
(@ramonashelburne) November 12, 2012
Mike D'Antoni is taking a pay cut: He got $24 million for 4 years in NY, and he's getting $12 million for 3 years in LA.—
Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) November 12, 2012
Lakers hire D'Antoni after Jackson made too many demands on.si.com/UxHvmn—
SI NBA (@si_nba) November 12, 2012
D'Antoni, still rehabbing post knee replacement, hoping to get to L.A. by Wednesday or Thursday. Bickerstaff likely to coach vs Spurs Tue.—
David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) November 12, 2012
Dan D'Antoni, Mike D'Antoni's older brother and longtime assistant with him in PHX and New York, will be joining him in LA, per source.—
David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) November 12, 2012
The Lakers will officially introduce Mike D'Antoni at a news conference as early as Tuesday but more likely later in the week.—
Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) November 12, 2012
D'Antoni will get more buy-in from Lakers' stars than Brown did. Brown started losing it last season and never really had it this season—
Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) November 12, 2012
Laker spokesman John Black: "Dr. Buss, Jim Buss + Mitch were unanimous that Mike D'Antoni was the best coach for the team at this time."—
Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) November 12, 2012
Harden trade. Now Brown out & D'Antoni in. What else big can get done before Thanksgiving (for a change) w/league on such a good early roll?—
Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) November 12, 2012
Jim Buss breathes a sigh of relief: Jerry apparently didn't force him to hire Phil. LA Times is reporting D'Antoni will be next head coach.—
Ric Bucher (@RicBucher) November 12, 2012
Mike D'Antoni's agent, Warren LeGarie, confirmed to me MD has agreed to a 4-yr deal to become next Lakers coach. @Mike_Bresnahan had it 1st—
Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 12, 2012
Kobe made it clear he wanted Phil, but said after game tonight that he let Lakers know he was fine with D'Antoni.—
J.A. Adande (@jadande) November 12, 2012
Mike D'Antoni signed a four-year deal with the Lakers. Phil Jackson was "asking for the moon," accoring to source familiar w/ the situation.—
Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) November 12, 2012
Source: Mike D'Antoni will be the next coach of the Lakers. Not Phil Jackson.—
Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) November 12, 2012
c’mon people..
pjax is definitely a good coach.. but have you forgotten how they were in the playoffs against MAVS team?
lets just trust the team.. and i know.. we all know that D’Antoni isn’t a bad choice, instead mitch & jim should hire defensive coach to support this thing. if we want to see Lakers on June
Lakers will not win the championship but they’ll be fun to watch.
I can already predict the headlines next season… “In other news, the Clippers fan-base has grown by nearly 20% after a disappointing early exit from the playoffs by the Lakers last season.”
Do you hear that noise? That is the sound of Pat Riley laughing his head off in Miami.
What do you call a sports team owner with an IQ of 150? The Buss family.
June 18, 2004, the Lakers let Phil Jackson go and didn’t even make the playoffs for the 1st time in 11 years. The Lakers brought PJ back and had 3 straight trips to the NBA Finals and 2 championships.
This boils down to the the Buss family ego: they refused to let Phil Jackson save them from themselves yet again.
Mike D’Antoni has never coached a team to the NBA Finals much less won a championship.
And the New York Knicks IMPROVED when D’Antoni stepped down from coaching their talent-stacked roster.
The Lakers’ wins this year have 1 thing in common: defense. D’Antoni has no idea what defense is.
What an amazingly sad decision.
What do you call a sports team owner with an IQ of 150? The Buss family.
Do you hear that noise? That is the sound of Pat Riley laughing his head off in Miami.
June 18, 2004, the Lakers let Phil Jackson go and didn’t even make the playoffs for the 1st time in 11 years. The Lakers brought PJ back and had 3 straight trips to the NBA Finals and 2 championships.
This boils down to the the Buss family ego: they refused to let Phil Jackson save them from themselves yet again.
Mike D’Antoni has never coached a team to the NBA Finals much less won a championship.
And the New York Knicks IMPROVED when D’Antoni stepped down from coaching their talent-stacked roster.
The Lakers’ wins this year have 1 thing in common: defense. D’Antoni has no idea what defense is.
What an amazingly sad decision.
didnt see this one coming.
nooo i wanted phil jackson no d anotni but i guess its ok
Steve Nash wilth his almost 39 year old butt needs to be sent back to Phoenix or retire. Nash, you have no say with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Dwight you need to give notice to the Los Angeles Lakers that you will not be back after this season.
Kobe Bryant, I have been on your side for the very first game you have ever played in the NBA. How in the world could you say what you said today about D’Antoni. “I Love Phil Jackson but I am excited about D’Antoni”
I expected more from you, Kobe Bryant. I guess you are saying having five chapionships is all I am going to have???
I think Mike is so better coach than Eric S. in Miami. And they won chamionship. Talents in LAL are different but the potential is similar – I would try to trust D’Antoni if i would be a LAL fun and wait patiently to the playoffs.
A run a gun offense with a geriatric roster? I buy Nash/Howard in pick and roll but the bench is shallow and the starters are old and not super mobile to begin with (save Kobe). How are those old bones going to be at an up tempo offense after 82 games let alone nursing their way into the post season?
Woke up this morning this morning like a kid on xmas, couldn’t wait to read the headlines,” Phil’s back!” Real disappointing. A big let down. Turned espn off and poured a stiff drink to face the day and it’s only 9:46am lol!
I will always be a Laker fan for life. But I can’t stand to watch another losing season with each bad decision after the next. Won’t be watching the Lakers this season. I am from Ohio so I might as well watch lebron and the Miami heat.
WHAT A SELLOUT!
LAKERS management is doing what they do best. It’s their money, let them spend it how they want.
HOWARD, NASH & now D’Antoni get their first championship rings this year.
GO LAKERS!!
im happy with the decision i love phil and the orginization does too so if they did not think phil would fit they are prbally right i think the d will be alright with world peace kobe and howard and pau is pretty good too if are offense score we get a chance to get back on defense so i dont think it will be a problem as long as are offense get it together clearly are defense is only bad in transition when were turnin the ball over i still think we need a bench player who can create off the dribble and get others involve better as well
This is truely unexpected. I am happy to see that Kobe was good with the decision, unlike how he was with Mike Brown. I hope that they focus on their defense, if they do that, scoring will not be a problem with our new coach!
Bad Choice:
Phil Jackson is the only coach that could have turned the team around. He is a proving coach. 11 championships, what more is there to say.
Mikie D, welcome to the Lake show, championship time…
They should hire Mike brown as the defensive coach..lol
All fakers fans were yelling 3-peat, just wanted to rub it in two years later HA HA HA!!!
Defense wins championships. But you can’t win a single game if you can’t score. True Story
You guys are ridiculous. DÁntoni is a great choice. Last time I checked the team that scores the most points wins. And I don’t know how you out score a Nash led DÁntoni team with 4 all stars on it. Especially with Dwight Howard playing defense. Dwight’s not suddenly going to forget how to play D guys.
Offense wins games, Defense wins championships. Lakers won’t make it far.
Let’s see what will happen to the Lakers!
Triangle worked when there were no super teams (Miami) and running like crazy teams (OKC). As much as i like to see Phil, i think we, the fans, need to see some excitement and fast offence. DH can take care of the offence.
omg, wow the paul gasol trade was a shocker and amazing, this is also a shocker but horrific
no D in LA this year. at least they will be fun to watch with mike dantoni coaching
Mike D’Antoni is just like Mike Brown … the lakers true problem is their D .. i hate this choice they should get phil … or even dunleavy …
They r paying all this money for their roster in order to win a championship n they dont want to pay Jackson? They r gonna deeply regret this..
WOW!