Click image to watch Mike D’Antoni “SportsCenter Conversation” On ESPN
Last year before the 2013 NBA season began, we were all predicting the Los Angeles Lakers to come out of the western conference acquiring Dwight Howard and Steve Nash. We were obviously wrong, as the team dealt with injuries the entire season outside of Pau Gasol who was benched by D’Antoni and not properly used right in his system.
We expect Gasol to have an all-star like season under the new Lakers run-and-gun system that’s now gotten young in the off-season (literally), acquiring Nick Young and Jodie Meeks among others. On paper, we’re not expecting the purple and gold to make this year’s playoffs; which will be a rebuilding year to look for the future after Kobe. In the next SportsCenter Conversation with Stephen A. Smith, Mike talks about the nightmare season he had as replacement Lakers coach; and not living up to his pre-season expectations of averaging more than 115 points a game (no defense much?).
Things closed out with D’Antoni touching on his expectations for Kobe Bryant when he returns back to action this season, which he remained optimistic on his return citing the Mamba’s doing everything in his will to get back on the court. Check after the jump to watch D’Antoni’s SportsCenter interview on ESPN.
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OS REWIND:Kobe Bryant’s “Applause” ESPN Highlight