A head coach for the Los Angeles could lead the team to a near perfect season and he still would not be as good as Phil Jackson. The truth is the presence of Jackson is always hanging over the Lakers organization and coach Mike D'Antoni knows it. After a season where the Lakers limped into the playoffs just to be swept in the first round, the criticism surrounding the coach and the cry for Jackson's help got even louder.
"I think anybody that comes in here the next 10, 15 years, it's going to be that way," D'Antoni said, via the Los Angeles Times. "I don't think there is any doubt that he was so good and so large and he's still sitting out there. Had that bothered me, I shouldn't have taken the job because you know it's going to be there. I wasn't stupid enough to think that, 'Oh, they won't remember him.' Sure they will. It doesn't really affect what we do day-to-day and how we approach the game."
It is hard times for D'Antoni. The head coach stepped in early during last season, but failed to lead the team to any kind of success despite the super star roster. He currently has two more guaranteed years on his contract, but is well aware that is he struggles to start the season, his time in Los Angeles could be over.
"I'm sure it's out there. If you don't win, it's there," he said. "If you're coaching in Fort Wayne, it's going to be the same thing. I think the Lakers are a special case because they're the No. 1 team that's on ESPN. You just do the best job you can do and go on. If you get caught up in what they're saying, you can't do your job," D'Antoni said.
D'Antoni is well aware of just how hard it is to keep a job in the NBA. The head coach notes that three or four of the coaches let go this season had led their respective teams to franchise-best seasons. George Karl had just won Coach of the Year and the Denver Nuggets opted to release him. Many believed D'Antoni could have been released during the offseason, but the head coach said the thought never crossed his mind.
"No, because Mitch [Kupchak] and Jim Buss were really supportive and great," D'Antoni said. "I couldn't ask for anything better from the staff and franchise. I don't want to be flippant, but you also have to have an attitude of, 'To hell with everything. Concentrate. Go forward.' You can't get distracted by the noise."
That vote of confidence may have gotten D'Antoni a pass to next season, but if the same results are produced again, the head coach should start packing his bags. The Lakers start to the season may be round. Kobe Bryant may or may not be healthy and the team has several new pieces to work into the rotation. D'Antoni better hope things get figure out fast.