Mike D’Antoni To Meet With Michael Jordan On Hornets’ Coaching Job

Former Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni is meeting with Hornets owner Michael Jordan to discuss the team’s coaching vacancy, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

D’Antoni reportedly was one of two finalists for the job, which eventually went to Warriors assistant and ex-Nets coach Kenny Atkinson — who has since backed out. Former Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts was also considered for the position, according to reports.

D’Antoni, 71, would appear to be the frontrunner for the position, as it is believed he had already met with Jordan on one occasion. Marc Stein of The Stein Line reported in early May that D’Antoni was indeed the favorite.

Along with the Rockets, he has served as head coach of the Nuggets, Knicks, Lakers and “24 Seconds or Less” Suns of Steve Nash and Amar’e Stoudemire fame. He spent this past season as a coaching advisor to Willie Green and the Pelicans.

Overall, he has compiled a 672-527 record in the regular season.

Several league sources indicated to Steve Bulpett of Heavy.com that D’Antoni’s wide-open philosophy could be a nice match for LaMelo Ball and the Hornets.

“I don’t think it’s a done deal or anything, but I know they like the idea of what he can do with LaMelo and their running game,” a source close to the situation told Bulpett. “If D’Antoni can get those guys on his wavelength, that’s going to be an even more fun team to watch.”

The Hornets are looking to replace James Borrego, fired after three seasons. They finished 43-39 this past season, a 10-game improvement over the previous year, but failed to reach the playoffs.

Charlotte has not advanced to the second round since 2001-02, when Paul Silas was the coach and Jamal Mashburn and Baron Davis were the team’s star players.