HOUSTON – The Lakers' fan base frequently told Mike D’Antoni they wanted a different coach.
Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol disliked D’Antoni’s faster-paced offense. Lakers president Jeanie Buss remained incredulous the Lakers hired D’Antoni to replace Mike Brown in 2012 after interviewing her former companion and Hall of Fame coach, Phil Jackson.
But former Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak and executive vice president Jim Buss still publicly supported D’Antoni through his resignation after the 2013-14 season. So with Jeanie Buss firing Kupchak and removing her brother last month, the Rockets’ head coach offered sympathy.
“The NBA is nothing but unfair,” D’Antoni said before the Lakers played the Rockets on Wednesday at Toyota Center.