Did the Lakers Blunder by Hiring Mike D'Antoni?

The Los Angeles Lakers hired Mike D'Antoni to succeed Mike Brown as coach, and already the L.A. Times is calling the move a 'blunder.'

D'Antoni, who coached the New York Knicks for the last four seasons and the Phoenix Suns for five seasons before that, agreed to a three-year deal with a team option for a fourth season. The Times put the value of the deal at $12 million.

D'Antoni reportedly got the job only after negotiations broke down with former Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who is said to have met with Lakers owners Jerry and Jim Buss and General Manager Mitch Kupchak on Saturday.

Jackson had been the favorite until the team learned of his demands, which included a stake in ownership, according to an unnamed source cited by the Times.

Kobe Bryant told ESPN, "I love PJ (Phil Jackson) but I'm very excited about D'Antoni.''

D'Antoni coached Lakers point guard Steve Nash in Phoenix. Nash won two MVP awards under D'Antoni's leadership.

"Obviously, I think everyone knows how much I love Mike,'' ESPN quoted Nash saying prior to D'Antoni's hiring. "If (D'Antoni) were to coach, it would be seamless and terrific for me, and I think the team as well.''

Team spokesman John Black said, "Dr. Jerry Buss, Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak were unanimous that Mike D'Antoni was the best coach for the team at this time.''

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK IN THE COMMENTS

Did the Lakers make the right move?

- City News Service