Lakers Hire Mike D'Antoni, Not Phil Jackson, To Replace Mike Brown As Coach

The Los Angeles Lakers have announced the hiring of Mike D'Antoni to replace the fired Mike Brown as head coach, passing on Phil Jackson.

Lakers spokesman John Black confirmed on Sunday night that the team has signed Mike D'Antoni to a multi-year contract.

The team is expected to have a press conference to announce the deal most likely on Tuesday or Wednesday of the coming week.

According to Black, Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss, executive vice president Jim Buss and general manager Mitch Kupchak were unanimous that D'Antoni was the best coach for the team at this time.

Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash both expressed support for the idea of playing for D'Antoni, who was Nash's coach in Phoenix when the point guard won consecutive MVP awards in 2005 and 2006.

D'Antoni abruptly resigned as coach of the New York Knicks in March.

The Lakers fired Brown on Friday after a 1-4 start.

Update (Monday): Ken Berger of CBSSports.com reports on Twitter that D'Antoni is "expected to reach out to fellow USA assistant Nate McMillan as [a] potential defensive assistant."

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter