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Mike D'Antoni ended his embattled tenure as Lakers head coach after he resigned yesterday evening, coming off the worst season in team history after they finished with a record of 27-55. His time as Lakers head coach was marred by public spats with players who openly disliked his style of play and injuries to the team's aging stars.
The Lakers are not expected to hire a new coach until after the NBA draft on May 20th, and their position according to the draft lottery may determine who they choose to hire. If they move up from their current position of sixth (the Lakers have a 6.3% chance of getting the No. 1 overall pick) they may go after a more high-profile, proven coach. If they slip, a shorter-term, stopgap hire may be the direction they choose to go, according to the LA Times.
Team vice president Magic Johnson, who is not interested in buying the Clippers, threw some shade on Mike D'Antoni, publicly proclaiming his joy at the news last night on Twitter:
Happy days are here again! Mike D'Antoni resigns as the Lakers coach. I couldn't be happier!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 1, 2014
One candidate already off the table: former coach and Kobe BFF Phil Jackson, who now runs the New York Knicks.
