D'Antoni wins battle of styles

The controversial decision by the Los Angeles Lakers to appoint Mike D'Antoni as new head coach over 11-time NBA championship winner and fan favorite Phil Jackson ultimately hinged on playing style, the team said on Tuesday.

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said no agreement was reached with Jackson about his possible return to the franchise where he won five NBA titles and that D'Antoni's offense-minded approach was viewed as the best way forward.

D'Antoni was signed on a three-year deal for $12 million on Monday, less than 48 hours after the Lakers management had met Hall of Fame coach Jackson at his Playa del Rey home.

"We never offered a job, and he never indicated he would coach the team," Kupchak said of the meeting with Jackson.

"It was a basketball discussion revolving around a lot of questions. Phil said he needed more time. I asked him how much more time, and he said he'd get back to (us) on Monday.

"I said, 'Phil, I have a job to do and I'm going to have to continue my search and interview candidates.' He nodded that he understood. So we did what I indicated we would do."

Immediately after leaving Jackson's home, Kupchak said he began discussions with former Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks coach D'Antoni.

The following day, Kupchak, Lakers owner Jerry Buss and executive vice-president Jim Buss reviewed D'Antoni's credentials. After several further phone calls with the coach, they offered him the job.

"It revolved almost completely around the personnel that we have on the team and the style of play we saw going forward for the team," Kupchak said.

"Of course we took into consideration a structured offense, which is what we went through with (former coach) Mike Brown."

Reuters

(China Daily 11/15/2012 page24)