The former Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks coach talks about the pressure and the expectations of the new job, especially after he was preferred over the legendary Phil Jackson
The last few days have been nothing short than a roller coaster ride for Mike D’Antoni. From being considered as the second best man for the vacant coaching position at the Los Angeles Lakers, the former Suns man became a favourite
and “the most suitable person for the job” on Sunday night, and in becoming the Lakers’ coach, he beat the legendary Phil Jackson – a fan favourite - for the post.
On Tuesday afternoon, he opened about the turn of events and revealed that the Lakers have made it clear on him that he has to start winning from the word go, and then keep on winning till another championship is secured.
"I'm going to do everything I can do to win a championship," D'Antoni said on "Mason and Ireland" show on ESPNLA 710. "If we're not at least in the hunt, a serious hunt, then I've failed as a head coach. I'm comfortable with that."
The coach also admitted that he was surprised at the Lakers’ decision to prefer him over Jackson, who has won 11 championship rings in his high profile career, including five with the Lakers and Kobe Bryant in the last decade;
"I was surprised in the sense that it seemed like a natural fit," D'Antoni added." "But you never know what happens, so I'm not here to judge one way or the other. I know he's a great coach. Has been, will be, one of the best if
not the best ever."
The Lakers chose D’Antoni over Jackson because his up tempo run and gun style of play will be more suited to a start studded roster, which found it difficult to adjust to Mike Brown’s ‘Princeton Offense’, a system quite similar
to Jackson’s ‘Triangle Offense’. The presence of Steve Nash in the roster, who won two MVP’s under D’ Antoni back in Phoenix, also matters a lot. With Nash running the show, the rest of the players can easily adapt to the minor tweaks that D’Antoni wants immediately
to run his plays, and the ones, that he will need with time.
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