It seems all Lakers head coach Mike D’Antoni needed to do was get the Lakers into the playoffs as general manager Mitch Kupchak made it clear he will be back next season.
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Much has been made about D’Antoni’s ability to mesh with impending free agent Dwight Howard and his inability to learn to adapt with two dominant low-post players. However, ahead of the Lakers game against the Houston Rockets, Kupchak gave D’Antoni the dreaded vote of confidence:
Mike Bresnahan of the L.A. Times had the story first:
“Yeah, he’s back. I think he’s done a great job,” Kupchak told The Times. “There’s been no discussions otherwise.”
“He’s made adjustments. He’s been flexible. He’s evaluated how he coaches as the season’s progressed. He’s listened to the players. He’s very easy to work with and we think in particular since the meeting the day of the Memphis game, yeah.”
The Lakers are 39-32 with D’Antoni at the helm, but face a playoffs without their leader Kobe Bryant and the massive uncertainty surrounding the health of point guard Steve Nash.
D’Antoni signed a four-year $16 million dollar contract so it seems the marriage between he and the Lakers is for the long-term.
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In case you missed it, be sure to check out what Mitch Kupchak had to say about the Lakers amnestying Kobe Bryant!
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