The Clippers aren’t the only Los Angeles basketball team enduring a rough patch. Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni has resigned from his post, reports ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.
D’Antoni apparently pushed the Lakers to pick up the 2015-2016 option year on his contract. D’Antoni wanted the organization to send a message to players that he was the permanent coach rather than a placeholder coach. From Kobe Bryant reportedly saying he didn’t want to return to the Lakers with D’Antoni as the coach to Rex Chapman reporting that University of Kentucky coach John Calipari would take D’Antoni’s spot, rumors have surrounded D’Antoni’s job status for much of the 2013-2014 season. Though the Lakers appeared poised to move forward with D’Antoni, they evidently didn’t want to commit to their coach for the season after next by picking up his option.
“Given the circumstances, I don’t know that anybody could have done a better job than Mike did the past two seasons,” Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak announced. “On behalf of the Lakers, we thank Mike for the work ethic, professionalism and positive attitude that he brought to the team every day. We wish him the best of luck.”
D’Antoni posted a 67-87 in his two seasons in Los Angeles. The franchise finished second to last in the Western Conference this past season with a 27-55 record.