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01:47 PM ET 11.12 | Mike D'Antoni is clearly not a defensive-minded coach, so it's no surprise that he is looking to find an assistant that can take on that responsibility. Who will the new Los Angeles Lakers coach hire? It appears he's zeroing in on former Portland Trail Blazers assistant Nate McMillan, according to a CBS Sports report. McMillan is friendly with D'Antoni from their time as assistants with Team USA, and he certainly has a reputation for being hard-nosed. However, he has never been the head coach of a team that finished higher than 13th in the NBA in points allowed per 100 possessions.

Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE, Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

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November 12, 2012 03:02 PM ET

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The question is will Nate agree to be an assistant?

ESPN

Atlanta , GA

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November 12, 2012 03:13 PM ET

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An assistant job on the Los Angles Lakers coaching your specialty and possibly getting a ring vs. Sitting at home watching old VHS tapes of you and Shawn Kemp in the good old days?

Tough one, doe breh. Be smart NATE. #LAKERNATION

elPRESIDENTE…

Benicia , CA

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November 12, 2012 04:08 PM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 03:13 PM ET 11.12 by elPRESIDENTE e3webmedia

An assistant job on the Los Angles Lakers coaching your specialty and possibly getting a ring vs. Sitting at home watching old VHS tapes of you and Shawn Kemp in the good old days?Tough one, doe breh. Be smart NATE. #LAKERNATION

Not sure if he needs to make a rush decision. The Nets will have a HC job vacancy pretty soon.

ESPN

Atlanta , GA

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November 12, 2012 05:31 PM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 03:13 PM ET 11.12 by elPRESIDENTE e3webmedia

"An assistant job on the Los Angles Lakers coaching your specialty and possibly getting a ring..."

The article said, "However, he has never been the head coach of a team that finished higher than 13th in the NBA in points allowed per 100 possessions."

That doesn't sound like defense is much of a "specialty" for him.

Still would be a nice hire for D'Antoni. Can never have enough really good basketball minds on your coaching staff.

Klockwork33

Chicago , IL

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November 12, 2012 06:19 PM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 03:02 PM ET 11.12 by ESPN

The question is will Nate agree to be an assistant?

I don't remember any situation when someone came in as an NBA assistant with a different philosophy as the head coach -- and that it worked.

Tex Winter, Thibs -- filled in a great role as assistants focused on offense/defense. But it was completely consistent with the head coach. (Thibs left -- but solid D staying in Boston.)

Remember the Mike Brown brought in Eddie Jordan to coach offense -- how did that end up ?

Woody was brought in to help DAntoni in NY -- didn't work.

I could be wrong -- can anyone remember a situation where it worked ??