By The Associated Press

Published: Monday, November 12, 2012, 10:46 p.m.
Updated: Tuesday, November 13, 2012

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Pau Gasol got home from the game and read about it on Twitter, while Dwight Howard got a midnight message on his BlackBerry. They shared most Los Angeles Lakers fans' mix of surprise, trepidation and anticipation.

Just when everybody thought the Lakers were getting back together with Phil Jackson, they switched course in the middle of the night and went with Mike D'Antoni.

What a weekend in Hollywood — and the real drama isn't over yet.

The Lakers reacted with ample excitement and a little bewilderment Monday to their front office's surprising decision to hire D'Antoni as coach Mike Brown's replacement over Jackson, the 11-time champion who discussed the job at his home Saturday and apparently wanted to return. D'Antoni didn't even interview for the job in person, speaking to the Lakers over the phone.

“It has been crazy, but all this stuff will just make this team stronger,” said Howard, who has been in a Lakers uniform for about six weeks.

The Lakers' third coach in four days won't take over the team until later in the week. D'Antoni still hadn't been cleared to travel Monday after undergoing knee replacement surgery earlier in the month, although the Lakers are optimistic the former Knicks and Suns coach will arrive in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

1. Unchecked looting guts Egypt’s heritage, with one ancient site ‘70 percent gone’
2. Heroin cited in gun thefts
3. Steelers rookie safety Thomas learning from Polamalu, Clark
4. First-rounder McGuire expected to sign with Pirates on Tuesday
5. Egyptologist risks life, career to expose looting
6. Pirates notebook: Mercer now the top option at shortstop
7. Pilot of ultralight plane killed in crash
8. New Castle doctor among newest astronauts
9. New Alexandria woman charged with carrying 96 bags of heroin
10. 27 witnesses to testify in heroin trafficking
11. Deer’s visit could force changes at Apollo-Ridge High School

There are currently no comments for this story.
Subscribe today! Click here for our subscription offers.