With two games remaining in the season, the Lakers are ready to put this tough season behind them. The Lakers finished their home schedule with another loss by falling to the Memphis Grizzlies 112-90. The loss was the 55th of the season and only adds to the franchise worst mark.
Jodie Meeks attributed head coach Mike D’Antoni to helping the Lakers staying positive according to a post-game interview on TWC SportsNet:
I think Coach D’Antoni has a lot to do with that. Having a positive energy no matter what. Whether is practice, shootaround, or the game, he hasn’t given up, and the coaching staff has been great.
Over the course of the season, D’Antoni has received the majority of the blame for the Lakers’ troubles. Despite leading the Lakers to its worst season since moving to Los Angeles, other issues hindered D’Antoni from coaching to his full ability.
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The list of Laker injuries is well documented and hasn’t allowed D’Antoni or the Lakers to establish any form of chemistry throughout the season. The Lakers lost over 300 games due to injuries. As a result, D’Antoni struggled finding a constant lineup or rotation to field.
As the season entered the final month, speculation over D’Antoni’s future with the Lakers arose. D’Antoni still has one year left on his contract.
Despite all of the rumors, the Lakers will not make a decision on D’Antoni until the season is over. The Lakers will be entering a rebuilding period with a high lottery pick and plenty of cap room to make moves in free agency. Whatever the moves the Lakers will make will be done with the direction Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss want to take the team. Whether D’Antoni will be a part of the Lakers’ future remains to be seen.
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Nick Young With A Special Message For Lakers Fans Before Their Last Home Game