Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni has resigned from his post as head coach after two seasons, according to Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com.
The news doesn't come as a complete surprise, as D'Antoni maintained icy relationships with several Lakers veterans, including star Kobe Bryant. Previous, Sporting News NBA writer Sean Deveney reported that Bryant wanted to play for a different coach next season. Now he will get his wish.
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Mike D'Antoni has resigned as Lakers coach, source tells ESPN
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) May 1, 2014
D'Antoni did have one season remaining on his deal and wanted to exercise for 2015-16 to gain more job security. The team refused, and D'Antoni decided his time as a member of the Lakers was done. The Lakers have not attached a timeline to their coaching search, but the process is expected to start immediately.
The Lakers will pay D'Antoni an undisclosed amount of the $4 million he was owed as part of the resignation, according to Mike Bresnahan of the LA Times.
"Given the circumstances, I don’t know that anybody could have done a better job than Mike did the past two seasons,” said Lakers GM Kupchak. "We thank Mike for the work ethic, professionalism & positive attitude that he brought to the team every day. We wish him the best of luck."
D'Antoni's tenure with the Lakers was under scrutiny from the start, because he was picked over Hall of Famer Phil Jackson, who had decided to come out of retirement to return to the franchise for which he won five NBA titles.
It didn't help D'Antoni's cause that the Lakers struggled almost from Day 1, as injuries to Bryant and Steve Nash, one of few D'Antoni proponents, hurt the team's chances of competing. In two seasons, the Lakers were 67-87.
This past season was one of the worst in Lakers history, which helped seal D'Antoni's fate. He spent the year shuffling discarded role players and D-League call-ups. The result was a 27-55 record and .329 win percentage.
Under D'Antoni, the Lakers missed the postseason for the first time since the 2004-05 season.
D'Antoni had previous stops with the New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets as a head coach. He also is a former player in the ABA and Italy, where he was one of the idols for a childhood Bryant.
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