Lakers Coaching: Mark Madsen joins Mike D'Antoni's coaching staff, according to report

Mark Madsen is coming back to the Los Angeles Lakers. Madsen will join Mike D'Antoni's coaching staff, a source has informed USA TODAY's Sam Amick. The team has not made an official announcement at this time.

Madsen was hired as coach of the Lakers D-League affiliate, the D-Fenders, in May. Before he could begin his term with the D-Fenders he has already been called up, so to speak. Previously, Madsen was selected by the Lakers with the 29th pick overall in the 2000 draft and spent three season with Los Angeles. He has served as a D-League assistant coach with the Utah Flash and was hired as an assistant coach with Stanford in 2012.

The Lakers watched all of their assistants, aside from Dan D'Antoni, move on. Darvin Ham joined the Atlanta Hawks' coaching staff, Steve Clifford is now the head coach of the Charlotte Bobcats and Phil Handy joined Mike Brown with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Bernie Bickerstaff and Chuck Person were also let go.

Alvin Gentry was considered the leading candidate to join D'Antoni's staff but he has since signed with the Los Angeles Clippers to coach on Doc Rivers' staff. Thursday it was reported that Nate McMillan, D'Antoni's second-leading choice, was finalizing terms to join Frank Vogel's coaching staff with the Indiana Pacers.

The Mad Dog has returned. One can only hope if and when the Lakers win a title while he's on the coaching staff he graces us with another memory for the ages.

- Drew

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