For weeks the talk has been almost exclusively whether or not TNT’s color commentator Steve Kerr would consider, if not outright accept, the vacant coaching job with new President of Basketball Operations Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks.
Now, after two underwhelming seasons—failing to win a single postseason game, let alone make the 2014 NBA Playoffs, Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni resigned Wednesday. The move, unexpected as it was, seemed to have been prompted by his displeasure with the team failing to pick up an option for a fourth year on his contract, as he had requested.
D’Antoni’s exit further adds to whatever pressure the Knicks may have to get a deal done with Kerr. As his TNT colleague Reggie Miller suggests, he no longer needs to take the first offer.
Boy if you’re @SteveKerrTNT, you have OPTIONS!! Don’t fall in LOVE with the first girl you meet, it’s ok to date around.. #CrazyInLove
— Reggie Miller (@ReggieMillerTNT) May 1, 2014
Sports Illustrated is just one of the many media outlets suggesting that the Lakers could now be interested in prying Kerr away from Jackson and the Knicks.
Mike D’Antoni’s resignation gives the Lakers a chance to steal Steve Kerr away from the Knicks’ grasp. http://t.co/JJOCifgwKI — Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 1, 2014
For all of the potential interest in Kerr, the Knicks have, at least, made the first move. President Jackson got together for dinner with Kerr just days ago to discuss the coaching vacancy.
The restaurant Steve Kerr and Phil Jackson met at was The Knickerbocker. Of course. — David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) April 27, 2014
Kerr’s college coach and mentor at Arizona, Lute Olson, has suggested that he believes Kerr’s wife, Margot, may support the Knicks opportunity.
Legendary Arizona coach Lute Olson to @SNYtv on Steve Kerr: “I think he has Margot’s backing on taking the Knicks’ job if he’s offered.”
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) May 1, 2014
Certainly, if Olson’s belief holds true, that gives New York the edge in acquiring the TNT analyst and commentator.
With the Lakers job now open, as well as other potential openings barring playoff outcomes, there seem to be many more options available.
It will be interesting to see how the NBA coaching carousel unfolds as we get deeper into the postseason.
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Michael Brumagin writes the Tweet of the Day for SheridanHoops.com and is also a correspondent for BleacherReport.com. Follow @mbrumagin