2. Mike D’Antoni’s hiring over Phil Jackson
More surprising than Mike Brown’s firing was Mike D’Antoni’s hiring! Not that D’Antoni wasn’t an option, but fans had voiced their desire to have Phil Jackson captain the Lakers’ ship once again, and it appeared to almost be a done deal. Reports had stated how the job was Phil’s to turn down, and that it was all but set in stone. However, a midnight news break shook Los Angeles with the hiring of Mike D’Antoni. Many are still shocked by this, and continue to wonder why the Lakers seemingly rushed to a decision over the weekend instead of reconvening with Phil Jackson on the following Monday as previously discussed in a face-to-face meeting with Phil Jackson, Mitch Kupchak, and Jim Buss.
1. Steve Nash signs with Lakers
It could really be a toss-up between surprises one and two, but the sign-and-trade deal for Steve Nash was straight out of left field. Most fans never envisioned it, and even Nash had mentioned he couldn’t see it happening not too long before it actually did. However, Jim Buss insisted that Mitch Kupchak at least give it a try, and Nash’s desire to be close to his children helped him convince the division rival Phoenix Suns to pull the trigger on a deal in which they received draft picks in return. That was the most shocking aspect of it all–how the Suns were actually willing to deal with the Lakers, and give away their greatest player.
