Lakers Coach

[Ironman92]

The current Lakers coach played basketball at Rio Grande College.

Bernie Bickerstaff has coached 4 different NBA teams, been GM of 2 and coached the Globe Trotters.

[TribeManiac10]

Awesome to have some form of local connection in the pros. As far as who should get the job goes I think they need to move on from Phil Jackson even though he probably is the best option available. Seems like people are happy to just cling to the past. Inject some life into the organization and hire someone younger. Phil Jackson is almost 70yrs old and has already retired once. What about Scottie Pippen? Anyone have an opinion on what kind of head coach he would be?

[Ironman92]

Scottie played a smart game but had to go to Central Arkansas (or some random NAIA school) where he knocked out coach John Lawhorn and the Rio Grande Redmen back in 1984 (I think 84)....Coach said he had dunks the first 3 possessions of the game.

Things you might not have known!

Everything can be related back to Rio!

[C-Bolt]

Mike Dantoni is the man,I'm surprised Phil Jackson even thought about coming back,what else is there to accomplish for a legendary coach? He would just tarnish his legacy because nobody is going to beat Miami anyway for 2 or 3 years to come.I guess Phil was stunned he wasn't chosen, but it was in his best interest IMO.

[Rebels on 3]

If Phil Jackson wouldn't have demanded so much he would probably be the Lakers coach right now. He wanted veto power over all basketball decisions and wanted 10 to 15 million a year. I don't think Dantoni is the right fit though. He runs a pick and role offence and the Lakers are to old and slow for that offence. They'll have Kobe and Meta on the wings and Meta is not a wing player. Kobe Also likes to post up and he won't be able to now. The main two players in the Lakers offence will be a 39 year old Steve Nash and a still hurt Howard. I don't see a bright future for the Lakers with Dantoni leading them.

[farmer]

Coach D'Antoni did a very good job as an assistant on the Olympic team. Maybe with the time off from the NBA has helped him adapt his style some. Working with Coach K may have helped him also. He must have said something to be able to get the job. Still not sure how this team the Lakers has will come together even before the coaching change. Would not be surprised if some trades happen.

[TribeManiac10]

Coach D'Antoni did a very good job as an assistant on the Olympic team. Maybe with the time off from the NBA has helped him adapt his style some. Working with Coach K may have helped him also. He must have said something to be able to get the job. Still not sure how this team the Lakers has will come together even before the coaching change. Would not be surprised if some trades happen.

If a trade did happen, which I think is a long shot, it would involve Gasol or Artest. Both stick out like sore thumbs in a D'antoni system. Howard does also but let's face it, he will not be traded. Gasol and Artest for Kevin Love and Kirilenko or Stoudemire and Novak?

[knowledge]

No trades, and D'Antoni will use all the pieces. Plenty of D'Antoni's offense utilzied bigs who are athletic and can run(Howard, Gasol), and D'Antoni has plenty ball screens, and post to post screen sets in his offense.

[dazed&confused]

This reminds me of when the Lakers brought in the Mailman and others as ringers to win a title. Won't happen. They need a couple down seasons, a few lottery picks and the inevitable NAME to come in, then they will revive. The NBA will assist, it needs a relevant Lakers team. Good thing is (from my perspective) they also benefit from a strong Celtics team.

[farmer]

One thing about a trade it doesn't have to include one of the starters. It can be a bench player that can be a better fit. Much like Nate Robinson in NY but when he left NY he hardly played.

I think D'Antoni will adapt from his previous coaching in the NBA. Sure working with Coach K and the NBA players over the summer has given him a better understanding. A good Coach will adapt to his team. He is in a great position to put a run on a NBA title. Which would really mean a lot to him while his dad is alive. He also has learned being in the spot light in NY.