SACRAMENTO -- Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni said Wednesday night that he intends to keep the assistant coaches from Mike Brown's staff through this season and doesn't expect he'll add anyone to his staff until this summer.
"They're good coaches. I know almost all of them anyway. They work extremely hard. We are in a lot. I just felt like, 'They're here, they're good, why change it?'" D'Antoni told ESPNLosAngeles.com before the Lakers played the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.
"I've known all of them and I've seen 'em work. They're coaches. They're very valuable in what they add. Their insights. The more insights you have, I think the better you are."
The only addition D'Antoni has made since being named the Lakers' coach 10 days ago was to bring in his brother, Dan D'Antoni, as an assistant. He had previously confirmed speculation he'd be interested in speaking to defensive-minded coach Nate McMillan, but it now appears that won't happen during the season.
"During the year? No, I think we're good. We don't need anybody," Mike D'Antoni said. "These guys are good. I'm not going to say that because it makes me feel good. These guys are good, they deserve to be here."
Bernie Bickerstaff went 4-1 in four games as the Lakers' interim coach after Brown was fired and before Mike D'Antoni was medically able to take over on the sidelines Tuesday night against the Brooklyn Nets. Mike D'Antoni had previously told reporters Bickerstaff would stay on for the rest of the season.
Mike D'Antoni revealed Wednesday he intended to keep assistants Chuck Person, Steve Clifford and Eddie Jordan through the season.
"I didn't know Coach D'Antoni," Person told ESPNLosAngeles.com. "But I'm sure he did his homework with those of us on this staff before he decided to keep us on to see if it works.
"Mike is real laid back. He asks the coaches how we feel. He really cares about us as people."
