As many of you have probably heard by now, Mike D'Aantoni was named the Lakers new head coach as of today. Seemingly choosing him over Phil Jackson, whom many feel is the best coach in modern history...of all sports.
First let's just say that I am assuming that many Lakers fans are LIVID this morning for choosing a guy who has basically won nothing, even with pretty stacked rosters over a guy who has done nothing but win his entire career as a player and coach. You know he has the championship experience. This team is built to win now, and Phil has proven time and time again that he can deal with star players and their egos. Jordan, Pippen, Shaq, Kobe...the list is long but he has dealt with them all.
So instead, the Lakers management decides to go with a guy whom is largely unproven. Sure he had some explosive offenses with Nash. (in his prime mind you) You know what they never did though? Win. Those Phoenix teams never even went to the finals!!!! the 2005 and 2006 teams got bumped in the Western Conference finals both times. You know why??? Because they wouldn't play DEFENSE! Like refused to play anything closely resembling defense. They thought they could outscore teams to win a title...and that theory was proven wrong time and time again until he basically got run out of town. The seven seconds or less offense is great, except for when you let teams score 120 points on you on a regular basis. He quickly found out that what might win you 55+ games during the regular season hardly works in the playoffs. You have to make stops. Plain and simple.
Then there was the Knicks fiasco whom barely made the playoffs one year surrounded by bad years until he was forced out of town. Even after they added Amare and Carmelo. Hell he used to Coach Amare in Phoenix but it still seemed like he had an issue dealing with the ego's and expectations in New York.
Which begs the question. If he can't deal with the expectations and pressure in a town who's franchise hasn't won anything in a long LONG time, how is he going to deal with even larger expectations in LA?
This Lakers team is older. Sure they have some great star power, but I believe that the best way for this Lakers team to win is to play solid defense. Sure they can score with the best of them each night, but in order for them to get where they want to go, I believe they need to have Pau and Howard playing strong defense in the paint. If they play solid defense no team will be able to penetrate the lane for a score.
What are your thoughts regarding this move? I would be interested in hearing some Laker fans take on this move.
