Prior to the Los Angeles Lakers tipping off with the Milwaukee Bucks, an ESPN report surfaced that the Lakers head coach had been contacted by Marshall University to gauge his interest in coaching the Thundering Herd. Jeff Borzello followed up on the report, saying he believes D’Antoni will coach at Marshall if he isn’t with the Lakers next season due to mutual interest.
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Shortly after the Lakers’ 108-105 loss to the Bucks, the Los Angeles Times’ Mike Bresnahan began to question D’Antoni on the reported contact, but was quickly shot down, according to Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters:
Before @Mike_Bresnahan could even finish his question about ESPN’s Marshall/D’Antoni reports, MDA, “C’mon guys, c’mon!”
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) March 28, 2014
D’Antoni’s quick reaction to Bresnahan’s question lends to believe the coach was aware of the report and may be an indication that conversations have indeed been held. However, if D’Antoni has been in contact with Marshall, it could be due to a personal relationship, according to Winters:
D’Antoni also said he’s “close friends” w/ guys over at Marshall, “hear from them all the time.” (on @TWCSportsNet)
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) March 28, 2014
In his second season as head coach of the Lakers, D’Antoni has often been the focus of criticism and taken much, if not the entire blame for the team’s shortcomings. D’Antoni’s hiring wasn’t a popular decision at the time given the belief Phil Jackson was ready to re-join the Lakers. His style of offense has never quite meshed with the players on the Lakers roster and the chances of it being a success were hindered early on when Steve Nash suffered a fracture in his leg early in the 2012 season.
The Lakers were the first team to be mathematically eliminated from the playoffs and with 11 games remaining in the season, they are fighting to avoid setting the worst record in franchise history.
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