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Sorry, Laker nation – you won’t be celebrating with Phil Jackson anytime soon. In a deal that stunned NBA fans around the country, Mike D’Antoni will be reuniting with Steve Nash in Los Angeles after beating out Jackson for the head coaching job.

A few weeks into the new season, after fans booed the Lakers for losing their first three games, the team fired Mike Brown, the former Cleveland Cavaliers coach who had succeeded Jackson before the start of the 2011-2012 season. Shortly after, fans and critics alike were subjected to footage of a visibly depressed Kobe Bryant. Media reports suggested the Lakers would resurrect Phil Jackson, a NBA legend who previously led the team to five of his record-setting 11 league championships as a head coach.

“Phil Jackson is easily the greatest coach in all of NBA history, possibly in all sports,” said Adam Sadur, a senior Journalism student at DePaul. “Think about it. The man has more rings than fingers.”

D’Antoni, who has coached the Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks over 10 seasons, signed a three-year deal worth $12 million with the Lakers. The team reportedly passed over Jackson after he overplayed his hand and demanded too many special requests, including working part-time and choosing his successor. A source told the Los Angeles Times that the 67-year-old, who is retired, asked “for the moon.”

Sean Boswell, a senior Broadcast Journalism student at DePaul, said he was floored by the hiring of D’Antoni.

“You don’t hire a coach who hasn’t ever made it to the NBA finals over a coach who has won so many championships like Phil Jackson,” Boswell said.

D’Antoni, who has also worked with Kobe Bryant on the U.S. Olympic team, would be reuniting with Steve Nash, who played four seasons for him in Phoenix while winning two MVP awards.

The higher powers of the Lakers organization seem to favor D’Antoni over other candidates, noting his positive relationship and past familiarity with members of the current roster as his strengths.

“Knowing his style of play and given the current make-up of our roster, we feel Mike is a great fit, are excited to have him as our next head coach, and hope he will help our team reach its full potential,” general manager Mitch Kupchak said in a press release.

Boswell said he thinks the fit isn’t right, that there were other candidates who were more qualified.

“They should have hired Brian Shaw instead of Mike Brown. He was Phil’s assistant coach and he served under him when they won their championships,” Boswell said. “Even Kobe wanted him at first.”

In either case, it’s a new Mike for the Lakers. Say goodbye to Mike Brown, and say hello to Mike D’Antoni.