Mike D'Antoni says he got 'a bunch of coal' for Christmas - Los Angeles Times
Advertisement

Mike D’Antoni says he got ‘a bunch of coal’ for Christmas

Lakers Coach Mike D'Antoni, shown last month, regrets some comments he made after the Lakers' loss to Phoenix on Monday.
(Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)
Share via

Mike D’Antoni is still reeling from his foot-in-the-mouth moment the other day.

After the Lakers’ 117-90 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Monday, D’Antoni made a comment that he immediately regretted.

“Find another team to root for,” he said of Lakers fans who are becoming discouraged with the team this season.

Oops.

He apologized Tuesday.

“I was an idiot last night,” he said. “I was out of my mind. I was ticked off. We didn’t play well and I said some stuff I shouldn’t have. It was stupid. That’s me, I just made a mistake.”

Advertisement

Then again Wednesday, before the Lakers played the Miami Heat, he again tried to yet again distance himself from that statement.

“I didn’t mean anything wrong. I said it wrong,” he said. “It was not a bright thing to say. That’s what happens when you are full of emotionally fueled meanness: You lash out.

“The right thing to convey is that I’m really proud of the guys we have, and I love these guys. And, you know, when somebody attacks your family, not attacks, but somebody asks you a question like, ‘Why you guys aren’t so good and we’re disappointed,’ well, I just lashed out. And it wasn’t the right thing to say. We’ve got great fans.”

Advertisement

No, no, the groveling didn’t stop there.

After Thursday’s practice, D’Antoni once more referred to his slip-up, this time completely unprompted.

When a reporter asked him what his favorite Christmas present was, D’Antoni recoiled.

“Nah, I didn’t get any yesterday,” he said. “For opening my mouth, I got a bunch of coal.”

ALSO:

Lakers: Week 9 predictions

Advertisement

Ailing Pau Gasol to miss Lakers’ Utah trip

Suns burn Lakers from long range in 117-90 win

Advertisement