The Los Angeles Lakers have stunned the basketball world by choosing former Phoenix Suns – and New York Knicks – coach, Mike D’Antoni, over Phil Jackson. D’Antoni is set to be formally introduced as the new Lakers coach later this week after agreeing to take over from current interim head coach Bernie Bickerstaff, the deal for D’Antoni is believed to be a three-year deal with a team option on a fourth for roughly $12 million.
After Mike Brown was fired last week speculation grew that Phil Jackson would be the most likely candidate to step back in charge of the star-studded group, however Lakers management felt that Jackson’s demands (travel restrictions, salary, plus a reported stake in ownership) were far too great to meet.
In the end management felt that with with only Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Metta World Peace and Steve Blake the only holdovers from the Jackson era, implementing the Triangle offense was a risky move.
The Lakers said they plan to hold a news conference most likely on Tuesday or Wednesday.