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The Los Angeles Lakers have not finalized their presentation group that will meet with Dwight Howard on Tuesday, but Lakers head coach Mike D'Antoni has been confirmed as part of the presentation, reports Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times.
D'Antoni's inclusion is not surprising as Howard will certainly need to have his future coach available during the Lakers final pitch. Howard has not, and will not, ask the Lakers to fire D'Antoni, according to a report from ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and Dave McMenamin
Other confirmed participants are Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash. Phil Jackson is not expected to be available during the presentation. Jeanie Buss is also not expected to be a part of the Lakers' final meeting with Howard. Time Warner Cable executives will be in attendance and are expected to pitch Howard his own show for their Lakers-centric channel.
The Lakers remain optimistic in their courtship efforts of Howard, which began with billboards in Los Angeles, a social media "#STAYD12" campaign and a full-page ad in the Los Angeles Times on Sunday. The Lakers are expected to have a few "surprises" for Howard during their presentation. D'Antoni being in attendance is not one of those.
- Drew
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