Why Derek Fisher as Next Los Angeles Lakers Coach Makes Sense

Mike D'Antoni's tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers was messy from the start, but both parties got a welcome clean break Wednesday night.

The 62-year-old officially vacated his post, resigning after less than two full seasons with the team. ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne first reported the news, which was later confirmed on the team's official Twitter feed:



The Lakers, fresh off the second-worst season (27-55) in franchise history, will now be making their third coaching hire since Phil Jackson hung up his peace pipe in 2011.

L.A. has had 12 different coaches since 1990, a number that grows more shocking when you consider the Zen Master manned the Staples Center sideline spot for 11 of those 24 seasons.

The Lakers are shuffling coaches like cards, and they haven't had a stacked deck for a while. A former destination franchise has lost some of its luster, as it has resorted to burning through retreads instead of snagging a big fish.

Maybe L.A.'s line can no longer handle that kind of catch. Or maybe this front office is simply casting in the wrong waters.

"Instead of a 62-year-old coach whose system hasn't worked in years, L.A. can seek out somebody with fresh ideas and a better track record of developing young talent," Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes wrote.

Of course, fresh young minds with player development skills aren't sitting around waiting on a phone call. They're either already employed or yet to be discovered. Or, in this case, rediscovered.

Current Oklahoma City Thunder guard Derek Fisher spent the first eight seasons of his 18-year career with the Lakers. He later returned for four-plus seasons leaving an unmistakable fingerprint on the franchise's last five NBA titles.

The 39-year-old still trots out for 17.6 minutes per night (13.4 in the postseason), but he's the closest thing to a player-coach as you'll find in today's game. He leads with...

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