Here is an outtake on Berger’s story on D’Antoni’s delayed debut: ”
The decision was made about three hours before tipoff when D’Antoni, hired to replace Mike Brown after the Lakers started 1-4, met with trainer Gary Vitti.
“I kept going, being headstrong,” D’Antoni said. “And he kind of sat me down right before I came to talk to you guys and said, ‘Come on, Mike. This is crazy. If somebody comes and bowls you over, you’re a sitting duck.’ And I know my coaches aren’t real nimble. There’s no way they’re protecting me. … I’m disappointed. I kind of got ahead of myself. I wanted it to be [Sunday night], but I’m just not quite there yet.”
Bernie Bickerstaff, 3-1 as acting coach, is coaching the Houston game and has received assurances from D’Antoni that he’ll be retained on the coaching staff.
“Unless he loses tonight,” D’Antoni joked. “No pressure.”
D’Antoni is day-to-day and will see how he feels before the Lakers’ next game Tuesday night at home against Brooklyn.
As was the case Friday night against Phoenix, D’Antoni will address the team before the game, at halftime and after the game. Asked what kind of reception he’s received from Lakers fans since arriving from the East Coast Wednesday, D’Antoni said, “From the people that deliver my room service, great. They’re the only people I see, and we’ve become real close friends.”