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NBA Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers not ready to fire D’Antoni

By Andrew Melnick

Mar 3, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Mike D'Antoni reacts to an officials call during the fourth quarter of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center. The Lakers won the game 107-106. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Mike D'Antoni reacts to an officials call during the fourth quarter of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center. The Lakers won the game 107-106. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 3, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Mike D’Antoni reacts to an officials call during the fourth quarter of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center. The Lakers won the game 107-106. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Mike D’Antoni reacts to an officials call during the fourth quarter of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center. The Lakers won the game 107-106. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

It has been a difficult season for the Los Angeles Lakers.

After being eliminated in the first round of the 2013 playoffs, they lost star center Dwight Howard to the Houston Rockets.

With a record of 21-42, the Lakers are going to miss the playoffs.

Their defeats have been especially embarrassing lately, including a 142-94 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers Thursday night.

Lakers’ head coach Mike D’Antoni is an easy scapegoat, but in fairness to D’Antoni, it’s not all his fault. Howard left, Kobe Bryant has suffered two different injuries and played in just six games and Steve Nash hasn’t been able to stay on the court since being traded to the Lakers.

After the loss to the Clippers, D’Antoni met with Mitch Kupchak.

The Lakers, according to Ramona Shelburne and Dave McMenamin, are not ready to fire D’Antoni now, but it still could happen in the offseason.

"However, the Lakers have positioned themselves to chase one of the marquee players who could become free agents this summer. They planned to evaluate D’Antoni, like all coaches, after the season, sources said."

The Lakers will be back in action Sunday afternoon when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder.

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