NBA News: Lakers Fans Rejoice as Mike D’Antoni Resigns as Los Angeles Head Coach
Reports are trickling in that Mike D’Antoni have resigned as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers and Lakers Nation is rejoicing with the decision.
Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.COM was among the first who broke the story with a post on her Twitter account:
Mike D'Antoni has resigned as Lakers coach, source tells ESPN
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) May 1, 2014
There's a reason books were written about D'Antoni and his offense in Phoenix. He's still that guy, it just didn't work in LA or NY — Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) May 1, 2014
Mike Trudell, a popular Lakers insider also confirmed the report:
D’Antoni met with Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss at the team’s facility, where the conversation resulting in D’Antoni resigning took place.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) May 1, 2014
The Lakers declined to pick up the option year (2015-16) on Mike D’Antoni’s contract, as D’Antoni and his agent had requested. — Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) May 1, 2014
Reactions are varied but mostly tilt towards celebrating the move as most Lakers and NBA fans have criticized D’Antoni as a one-dimensional coach; all offense and no knowledge of defense. As expected, fans took to Twitter for their feelings about the news:
Sterling, yesterday. D'Antoni, today. Bieber, you're next. #LApurge — Rich Eisen (@richeisen) May 1, 2014
Bruh when I founded out Mike D'Antoni was gone from the Lakers, my phone literally fell out my lap. I was jumping up and down lmaooo — Ace Be Chillin™ (@KingSmooth_24) May 1, 2014
NO MORE D'ANTONI.. THERE IS A GOD!