Lakers Hire Mike D’Antoni

Mike Brown’s out. Mike D’Antoni is in. The Los Angeles Lakers have tapped the former Phoenix Suns coach to lead the team after management’s first choice, Phil Jackson, wanted too much money for the job. There’s already some camaraderie established between D’Antoni and new Laker Steve Nash, one of D’Antoni’s former players. “Obviously I think everyone knows how much I love Mike,” Nash said before the choice was announced. “If [D’Antoni] were to coach, it would be seamless and terrific for me, and I think the team as well.”