Karl Nelson The Intern November 17, 2012 Written, published, and edited by Karl Nelson

Is Mike DAntoni the answer for the Lakers?

Two seasons ago, the Laker wizard, coach Phil Jackson, left the Laker organization, contributing to five of their 16 championships. To many, it seemed impossible and unreal that the Lakers were going to be forced to hire another coach. This was a Laker team that was used to running the famous Triangle offense, but this was about to change. They appeared to have found who they thought would be the perfect replacement. Last season the Lakers hired Mike Brown to replace their coaching legend. Some people saw this as a controversial thing while some gave it a chance. Mike Brown was no stranger to working with talent, having spent his previous years coaching superstar, Lebron James, who has a ring of his own now. Coach Brown came into the Laker organization with a defensive mindset, which is good right? How many times have we heard the basketball saying, Defense wins games? Well, this may be partly true, but Im pretty sure a team must have an offensive mindset to go along with that theory in order to be successful. In coach Browns first season, the Lakers finished 41-25 in the regular season with a record of 26-7 at home. They finished 3rd in the Western Conference, but didnt have the success they were looking for in the playoffs, going 5-7. They lost in five games to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Conference Semi-Finals. After under achieving last season, it was apparent that the Lakers needed to make more changes. Well, this season they did just that by bringing in major pieces like Dwight Superman Howard and two-time MVP, Steve Nash. However, the Lakers didnt have the immediate success Nelson 2 that they were hoping for, starting off their pre-season 0-6 and losing their first three regular

season games. They ended up beginning their season with a record of 1-4 through five games and it was evident that things werent going to get better right away. Those that are familiar with the Lakers organization know how much pride they take in being considered a dynasty. Throughout the years they have proven themselves to be winners and anything less than that is failure in their book. With the changes they made over the summer, they werent thinking about five or six years from now. No, they made those moves for immediate results. The Lakers know their star, Kobe Bryant, could be coming up on his last few seasons as not only a Laker but as a player in this league. Hes been in the NBA since he was 18 and hes no longer that young kid who put the basketball between his legs in the 1997 dunking contest. He was the 13th overall pick in the 1996 draft straight out of high school and now we fast forward to today where he has entered into his 17th season in this league. Kobe is not getting any younger and since Michael Jordan, he is one of the most determined winners the game has seen so its know question that he wants another championship or two before he hangs up that #24 for good. However, in order to do this the Lakers need quick improvement. Maybe they have taken a step in that direction by bringing in coach, Mike DAntoni, who will definitely add more to their offensive game. Since his days as coach of Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns, hes been known as a run and gun type of coach who puts emphasis on getting quick buckets. This has its pros and cons though. If in fact, DAntoni still follows the run and gun system then it would definitely be beneficial to players like Nash and Gasol. When Nash was the point guard for Phoenix and Amare Stoudemire ran power forward for them, DAntoni ran a Nelson 3 lot of pick and roll for the two of them. If he chooses to do the same with Nash and Gasol, this will open up a lot for both of them and put them in perfect positions based on their respective

games. Nash loves the three ball as well as that one-leg fadeaway jumper in the paint. Gasol can play high and low, shooting the 15-footer or rolling to the basket, keeping the ball high. DAntonis offense could be beneficial to outside shooters like Steve Blake and Jodie Meeks. Metta WorldPeace and Antwann Jamison could also benefit from this on a good shooting night. When DAntoni was coaching the Suns they had a lot more perimeter shooters. They were able to get quick buckets solely off of the talent they had behind the perimeter. Im not sure if the Lakers will be able to match that. Matter fact, they probably wont be able to. However, they have something that the Phoenix Suns team did not have at that time. The Lakers have one of the greatest players to ever lace them up in their Superstar, Kobe Bryant. Kobes one of those players who can be successful in any system because he moves well without the ball and he can create for himself with ease. Now, Dwight Howard is a different story. Im not sure how successful he will be in this system. DAntoni hasnt really coached a team where the center was the most dominant player on the squad, which means hes not used to running the offense through the center position. The positive side of this is the fact that Dwights game is a very athletic game. Hes probably the most athletic center in the game right now so its no question that he will get his buckets. The question is will he be durable throughout the course of the season and how dominant will he actually be. I think Shaq said it best. Dwight is going to have to get most of his buckets in quick transition where hes able to catch and go straight up with the ball. The only issue with this is he Nelson 4 will have to run the floor well to do this. As far as his production in a half court set, I dont know how effective he will be. Only time will tell. These are the pros and cons of the offensive side to DAntonis coaching elements in regard to this new Laker team. Now, getting back to the defensive side. This definitely has its

pros and cons with more of an emphasis on the cons, obviously. DAntoni may have a good track record when it comes to wins, but that same record has been clouded by the fact that his teams have been weak when it comes to the defensive side of the basketball. I do think, however, having Dwight and Metta on your squad will eliminate some of the defensive issues that the Lakers are going to face. However, their team defense is going to suffer if DAntoni doesnt place more emphasis on its importance. Bottom line, the Lakers are going through changes and they will continue this cycle throughout the season. The Lakers arent a stranger to this though. This isnt the first time there has been changes in personnel or coaching for this Laker team. Lets not forget about that almost two year span without the stellar coach, Phil Jackson. This was just after Kobe and Shaq had led the Lakers to three consecutive titles. The Lakers were in a serious rebuilding stage, losing their original Superman, Shaquille ONeal as well. Phil came back to the Lakers organization in 2005 and got them back on top by 2009 when they made a trip to the Finals against the former trio in Boston. There was a five year span where they werent experiencing much success. On paper that looks bad for the current situation the Lakers find themselves in, but people have to remember that back then they didnt have the likes of dominant center, Dwight Howard, and Allstar point guard, Steve Nash. Nelson 5 With Mike DAntoni implementing his offense just two practices ago, the Lakers already seem to be moving in a better direction. They have won their last two games, scoring well over 100 points. Defeating the Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets may not be a big deal to Laker critics, but the high scoring hints at the progression of their offense. The Lakers are now at 500 with a record of 5-5, tenth in the West. They face the 6-2

Brooklyn Nets who are currently ranked second in the East. If any team can change fate, its the Lakers. Thats the Hollywood way. Its no question that this will be a process for the 16-time winning dynasty, but take a look at those standings a few months from now. The Lakers will be in the hunt with their eyes focused on a possible 17th Larry OBrien trophy. ###