Coach of the Year?


Last year, after Mike Brown was fired, the Lakers turned to Mike D'Antoni to coach a team with championship expectations. The Lakers — buoyed by Dwight Howard, Steve Nash, Pau Gasol, and Kobe Bryant — were supposed to be a super team. Instead, they struggled to make the playoffs, ending up in the seventh or eighth slot most of the season.

That led to a lot of talk that D'Antoni was a bust, shouldn't be coaching the Lakers, and was going to be fired. I was one of those that had my reservations after a season of promise fizzled quickly in the first round of the playoffs.

What a difference a year makes. Over the summer, Kobe rehabbed from his Achilles injury, Steve Nash  continues to struggle to return from injury, and Dwight Howard fled to Houston. The Lakers filled the roster with a mis-mash of role players and young, undeveloped talent. Pundits predicted the team to finish 12th in the West at best and struggle all season.

It's November, Bryant still isn't back and Nash is also out with injury. Yet, the Lakers are 7-7. They are in 11th in the West, but they are competitive. And all this without the two guards that are supposed to drive the offense. With Bryant likely coming back this next week, there is a good chance the Lakers will only get better.

While talented teams in New York, Brooklyn, and elsewhere are floundering, the Lakers are making the most of their talent and are competitive in a loaded Western Conference. That has to be a credit to D'Antoni, who has learned to make a meal with the spare parts left in the Lakers' fridge.

It's too early to predict playoffs, but it's clear this team will be more competitive than expected. It could end up being a fun season for a team with nothing to lose.

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