November 15, 2012; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers new head coach Mike D
After more than a week of talk its time to see the product. From the firing of Mike Brown to the unexpected hiring of Mike D’Antoni it has been a whirlwind of conjecture, speculation and anticipation. In a matter of hours all the talk will cease if only for the time it takes for the Lakers and Rockets to play a 48-minute game of hoops.
Coach D’Antoni is slated to make his debut at the helm of the Lakers ship tonight. Still recovering from knee surgery, D’Antoni has been eased into his new duties in Los Angeles.
Of course after tonight nothing will come with any ease at all including gaining the respect of Lakers faithful worldwide. Nobody doubts D’Antoni will improve a listless offense. The real question is whether or not his coaching style will be a good fit for a true title contender.
Inquiring minds want to know and tonight we’ll get our first few answers. But this is a marathon and not a sprint so no matter what happens tonight the evolving process of resurrecting championship aspirations is just beginning.