It’s appropriate that the latest news in the NBA is coming out of Los Angeles home of Hollywood, right? With the recent dismissal of Mike Brown after only five games, where he went 1-4, Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak felt it was time for someone new to breathe life in this rich franchise. So next in line is offensive guru Mike D’Antoni. I know you thought I was going to say Phil Jackson. Well I didn’t. Jackson isn’t walking through those doors anytime soon. D’Antoni, 61, who is coming off knee surgery will take over the rein after the negotiations with Phil Jackson, broke down.
Not only did Mike Brown get shown the door but, so did the Princeton offensive which was suppose to restore the glory days of the Lakers offensive power. Even with arguable one of the top three players and high scoring Kobe Bryant, last year the Lakers were the 10th highest scoring team in the NBA (106 per game).
I like the hiring of D’Antoni as the coach for this Lakers roster and here’s why:
D’Antoni is known for the pick-and-roll and up-tempo offensive. As the coach of the Phoenix Suns; Steve Nash won back to back MVP awards. Now Nash will run point guard for the Lakers, when he returns from his injury.
This pick-and-roll system is also more effective when having a big guy who is very athletic the Lakers have two of them in Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard. Nash with those two big guys will have more dribble handoffs, back-cuts and most importantly flood space for Kobe to go to work.
Kobe, more so then ever will be able to freelance and have more isolation in this system where as before in the triangle offensive, Phil Jackson’s system, it was more pattern oriented. Another key element to why I love D’Antoni as the Lakers coach is his reputation is regarded as a player’s coach. He allows his players to just play and don’t pull back on their offensive freedom. Dependability is with Nash which stems from him coaching Nash in Phoenix. Coaching Kobe won’t be completely foreign. As an assistant coach for the U.S. Olympic in 2008 and ’12 D’Antoni and Kobe relationship became stronger as player and coach.
So for all you Lakers fans who wanted Phil Jackson on the bench, sorry! Look at it this way if they don’t defend better, and play harder night in and night out there isn’t a coach who can save them. And Phil won’t be criticized for having a loaded team like he’s always had and not win a NBA title.
Until next time live out your DREAMS with some Determination, put forth Real Efforts and given your Abilities; Means you will have Success.
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