Lakers in review, Week 2
The Lakers did not have a normal week by any stretch of the imagination.
It started out simply with players like Antawn Jamison and Darius Morris trying to find their way with the team, and Steve Blake getting into it with a Lakers fan.
Coach Mike Brown was still searching for a rotation that would win games while the team worked to learn his hybrid Princeton Offense.
On the way to a loss in Utah that dropped the team to 1-4 and had the Lakers in last place in the Western Conference, Kobe Bryant appeared to give Brown the “death stare.â€
The next day Bryant called it nonsense, reaffirming that he was Brown’s “biggest supporter.â€
Apparently the Lakers front office didn’t feel the same way and Brown was fired on Friday.
Naturally, many chimed in on the bold move, including Pau Gasol, Kobe Bryant and General Manager Mitch Kupchak.
Under the temporary leadership of Bernie Bickerstaff, the Lakers knocked off the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings.
The Lakers said Phil Jackson was likely to be hired as Brown’s replacement, but after meeting with ownership and management, the team went instead with Mike D’Antoni.
That took many off guard (specifically Jackson), producing a wide range of emotions among fans, media and players (specifically Dwight Howard, Antawn Jamison and Pau Gasol).
D’Antoni will be formally introduced this week, which can’t possibly be as wild as the one that just passed by in a flurry.
ALSO:
Mike D’Antoni to be next coach of the Lakers
New Lakers Coach Mike D’Antoni’s basketball history
Lakers need Mike D’Antoni to be the right call
You can email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
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