After struggling to make the playoffs with a Los Angeles Lakers team that should’ve been a title contender last season, D’Antoni will be coaching with his job on the line in 2014.
His roster is no longer anchored by Dwight Howard, but general manager Mitch Kupchak has given him tons to work with.
L.A. will be led by two future Hall-of-Famers in Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, whose job will be made easier by the young horses signed in the offseason.
There is no reason the Lakers shouldn’t earn themselves a convincing postseason berth in 2014. If the team doesn’t end up in the playoffs, D’Antoni will be gone.
Although he isn’t the second coming of Phil Jackson—despite the fact that he’ll constantly be compared to the "Zen Master" as long as he’s in Los Angeles—D’Antoni is a good coach.
He came into a tough situation last year, taking over the team five games into the regular season and not being given the luxury of a preseason and training camp to work with.
This year, after having a full offseason under his belt, will make or break him. It won’t be an easy ride, but if D’Antoni can make some key adjustments with the Lakers next season, he’ll keep his job.
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Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
