If Kobe Bryant’s will be done, then Mike D’Antoni’s tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers will soon be over.
According to the Sporting News’ Sean Deveney, Bryant wants the Lakers to hire a new coach before next season:
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith reported on Wednesday morning that he had heard D’Antoni would be out, and that the Lakers’ potential pursuit of free-agent Carmelo Anthony would be the reason. But multiple sources told Sporting News that the reason for D’Antoni’s potential dismissal is closer to home—star guard Kobe Bryant.
Bryant, sources said, has “no interest” in playing for D’Antoni next season, and wants a new coach in place for the 2014-15 season.
Ever have that feeling like you’re trapped on an island, screaming your lungs out, but no help is coming? That’s how I feel right now.
Everyone is so quick to lampoon D’Antoni and render him not good enough, especially with the Lakers tracking toward the Western Conference’s worst record. But seriously, are you kidding me?
Unless something transpired behind closed between D’Antoni and Kobe, and assuming Deveney’s report is accurate, I’m at a loss. Why is it Kobe doesn’t want Magic Mike guiding the Lakers next season?
Because he wants Pau Gasol to return and knows the Spaniard won’t if D’Antoni’s big man-marginalizing system is still being employed? Because the Lakers’ record isn’t up to Kobe’s standards? Because this is all D’Antoni’s fault?
I call bullshit. Complete and utter bullshit.
Look, D’Antoni isn’t a champion, but the Lakers aren’t on him. Their offense and defense are terrible, but look at who he has to work with. Kent Bazemore goes games where he leads the Lakers in shot attempts. Jodie Meeks is perhaps the most talented player on the roster right now. Gasol is hardly a pillar of statistical stability.
Considering the circumstances, I commend D’Antoni for keeping the Lakers interesting throughout this disaster of a season, because that’s what it is–a train wreck. Kobe is done for the season, Steve Nash is probably right there with him and the Lakers house a slew of individuals on one-year contracts playing for themselves. That’s a tough situation to navigate.
And the no-defense argument really needs to be killed. No, D’Antoni isn’t a good defensive coach. But Kurt Rambis was brought into fix that, and it hasn’t worked out. Can’t say I blame him. Again, the personnel is less than ideal.
Someone has to go down for this season, though, and it’s always felt like it would be D’Antoni. Kobe has been watching from afar as his Lakers essentially tank toward a top-five draft pick. For most stars, that’s painful. For the hypercompetitive Kobe, it’s unforgivable.
Of course, maybe this is all inaccurate. D’Antoni’s seat is undoubtedly rife with flames, but maybe it’s not Kobe setting it ablaze.
Either way, chances are it won’t matter.
The Lakers are an absolute mess at the moment, having committed nigh $50 million to Kobe through 2015-16. Worse still, Kobe isn’t the patient type. He won’t listen to 2015 free-agency pitches. At 35, he wants to win now or rather, next season.
That could compel the Lakers to do something stupid this offseason, like throw large sums of money at the aging Carmelo Anthony or another free agent. At the very least, it seems they’re on course for another coaching change.
Stupid or not, that’s how it is. If Kobe actually wills it to be, then the Lakers will make it be.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com.
