Following the worst loss in franchise history, GM Mitch Kupchak met with head coach Mike D’Antoni and Executive VP of Basketball Operations Jim Buss according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne:
Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak met with Mike D'Antoni and Jim Buss after Thurs game. Initial inclination is to see how team responds, sources say.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) March 7, 2014
Most Lakers fans were calling for the firing of D’Antoni after the near 50-point loss to the division rival Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on Thursday. The Lakers were outplayed and outmatched by a superior Clippers squad that they were able to beat in the season opener back in October.
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With Shelburne stating that Kupchak and Buss want to see how the team responds, it appears that D’Antoni’s job is safe a little while longer.
The debate going on right now is if this is the right time to part ways with D’Antoni considering the fact that the season is already lost in terms of competing for a playoff spot.
Fans maintain the stance of wanting D’Antoni out as soon as possible, and for good reason following such a disappointing loss, but the front office remains reluctant to part ways and may not do so until the off-season.
Only time will tell if D’Antoni is ultimately on his way out in Los Angeles.
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