Despite being “95 percent sure” that Phil Jackson would return as their head coach, the Los Angeles Lakers have moved in a different direction.
The Lakers have signed Mike D’Antoni to a four-year contract to become their next head coach, according to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times. D’Antoni was with the New York Knicks last season before resigning after starting the year 18-24. D’Antoni had his best years with Steve Nash — the Lakers’ new point guard — with the Phoenix Suns from 2003-2008.
Bresnahan said Jackson was asking the team for too much in the negotiations, including reported travel favors and a request for control in the team’s basketball decisions.
D’Antoni will replace Mike Brown, who was fired Friday. D’Antoni has a career 388-339 record as an NBA head coach. He has never reached the finals, despite making the playoffs four straight years with the Suns.
Check out Bresnahan’s tweet below.
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
Thumbnail via Facebook/NYKnicks
