Mike D’Antoni Fired Assistant Coaches Bernie Bickerstaff and Chuck Person

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Mike D’Antoni will have a smaller staff next season — Bernie Bickerstaff and Chuck Person have been let go, the team announced. Per the LA Daily News: “Coach Mike D’Antoni told assistant coaches Bernie Bickerstaff and Chuck Person they would not return to the Lakers’ coaching staff next season, according to Lakers spokesman John Black. D’Antoni had kept all of Mike Brown’s assistants after he was fired following a 1-4 start while hiring his brother, Dan, to help oversee his offense after spending time on his staff in Phoenix and New York. But it was expected D’Antoni would at least somewhat alter his staff after the season ended. Bickerstaff went 4-1 as an interim coach following Brown’s firing, and has been considered one of Brown’s most influential mentors. Person remained the last connection to Phil Jackson’s staff. Brown kept Person when he was hired in May 2011, and was also kept upon D’Antoni’s arrival. Person’s main responsibility under Jackson and Brown mostly involved the team’s defense. Under D’Antoni, Person mostly worked on players’ shooting mechanics and specifically worked with Dwight Howard on post moves and free-throw shooting. […] Yet, Dan D’Antoni, Clifford, Darvin Ham and Phil Handy are still on the Lakers’ staff.”