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Ettore Messina spent his first season in the NBA on Brown's staff after coaching for many seasons in Europe, including with the Italian national team and the Spanish club team Real Madrid. Brown said he has a place on the Lakers' bench as long as he wants it. Long Beach Press-Telegram

Los Angeles Lakers, Coaching, Mike Brown, Ettore Messina 

"I have to talk to Mike and Mitch (Kupchak, the Lakers' general manager)," said Messina, who has an option on his contract for next season. "I would (like to be an NBA head coach), but it is something that's out of my control. Long Beach Press-Telegram

Los Angeles Lakers, Coaching, Mike Brown, Ettore Messina 

Ettore Messina: "The good thing is I have the security to go back to Europe to coach. That's my security blanket." Long Beach Press-Telegram

Los Angeles Lakers, Coaching, Ettore Messina 

Brown said he expects all of his assistant coaches to return for next season. He also said he expects one or more to receive interest from other teams. Ettore Messina spent his first season in the NBA on Brown's staff after coaching for many seasons in Europe, including with the Italian national team and the Spanish club team Real Madrid. Brown said he has a place on the Lakers' bench as long as he wants it. Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, Coaching, Mike Brown, Ettore Messina 

"I have to talk to Mike and Mitch (Kupchak, the Lakers' general manager)," said Messina, who has an option on his contract for next season. "I would (like to be an NBA head coach), but it is something that's out of my control. "The good thing is I have the security to go back to Europe to coach. That's my security blanket." Brown said he wouldn't be surprised if Messina, John Kuester, Chuck Person and Quin Snyder receive offers elsewhere. Kuester coached the Detroit Pistons for two ill-fated seasons before being fired and joining Brown's staff. Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, Chuck Person, Coaching, Mike Brown, Ettore Messina, John Kuester, Quin Snyder 

Ettore Messina denies any agreement with Fenerbahce Ulker. In fact, if Messina decided to return to Europe his first option would be CSKA Moscow. TuBasket.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Coaching, Russia, Ettore Messina, CSKA Moscow, Fenerbahce Ulker 

Can Pelister: Fenerbahce reached an agreement with Ettore Messina, who is assistant coach at Lakers now. (via @chemedya) Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Coaching, Turkey, Ettore Messina 

Assistant coach John Kuester missed his fourth game to attend to family matters after the death of his mother last week. It's uncertain when he'll be back with the team. Coaching consultant Ettore Messina replaced Kuester on the bench for the fourth game. Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, Coaching, Ettore Messina, John Kuester 

Ettore Messina: I have to admit that before coming over here I, like many fellow Europeans, wrongly believed that we were much better shooters as compared to NBA guys. The truth is shooting percentages here are mostly the result of outstanding athleticism and savvy of the defenders. Otherwise, if you give an average player an open shot, he’ll hit it with the same consistency as your European guy. Sports.ru

Los Angeles Lakers, Coaching, Ettore Messina 

Ettore Messina: Finally, there’s no avoiding the fact that we’re going through a special season in terms of importance of every single game. You know this common European perception that regular season NBA games sometimes lack intensity with players sleepwalking through the first two or three quarters? Well, you don’t see anything like that in a 66-game season. Every game is important. Every loss can affect your chances of making playoffs or getting a high enough seed for a long postseason run. And with the Lakers having a new head coach, new staff and new system, there’s no time for complacency. Everybody realizes we need to have a good season. I haven’t seen a single game so far where the intensity level wasn’t at its max from minute one, and one can assume it’ll only get tougher and more intense as we approach the end of the regular season and the start of the play-offs. Sports.ru

Los Angeles Lakers, Coaching, Ettore Messina 

Ettore Messina: "I'm starting to miss the game." TuBasket.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Coaching, Ettore Messina 

On the NBA, Messina’s future home: “I am curious and worried. Curious to experience the day-to-day life of the NBA, to coach great players. Worried because I hope I get accepted by others. I hope I’m ready – we’re finally getting started.” Ball In Europe

Los Angeles Lakers, Coaching, Ettore Messina 

Mike Trudell: As Mike Brown said he expected, asst. coach Ettore Messina arrived at the team's facility last night, & is here to stay. Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Coaching, Mike Brown, Ettore Messina 

After earning a status as one of the most successful coaches of the last 15 years in Europe, Ettore Messina was hired this summer by the Los Angeles Lakers as an assistant coach. Messina is known for his charismatic and irrepressible attitude on the bench but has also the gift of self-irony outside the court. A few days ago, he spoke about leadership in a conference on sport business and digressed on the first challenges of his new life as a Laker. “The other day I was on the phone with the Lakers staff, asking advice on where I should get a house,” said Messina. “I was told some people prefer living close to the practice facilities; others, like Kobe, live further away. Sometimes, in order not to challenge the incredible L.A. traffic, Kobe even comes to practice by helicopter. “At that point I thought: ‘This guy makes $25 million and comes to practice by helicopter – What am I supposed to say to him? “Down with that ass, bend your knees”?’” Ball In Europe

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Coaching, Euroleague, Ettore Messina 

Or, as Messina said: “Here [in Europe] I had Mickey Mouse and Goofy. Now, I’m going to Disneyland.” Ball In Europe

Los Angeles Lakers, Coaching, Euroleague, Ettore Messina 

Emiliano Carchia: Ettore Messina said at Radiosportiva that Italian BBall has biggest problems than the failed arrival of Kobe in Italy. Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Italy, Ettore Messina, Virtus Bologna 

Are you attracted to the idea of coaching a player with a big ego like Kobe Bryant? Ettore Messina: I don't know if he has a big or little ego, but what I do know is that he is a great player and a great person. I will try to know him better and, if I can, help him. EFE

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, Coaching, Ettore Messina 

The Los Angeles Lakers finally made official the hiring of Ettore Messina as "Coaching Consultant" to Head Coach Mike Brown. "I am honored to have received this opportunity from one of the greatest basketball organizations in the world," said Messina in a statement released by the team. "I have great respect for Coach Mike Brown and I'm excited to work with him and his staff." Sportando

Los Angeles Lakers, Coaching, Mike Brown, Ettore Messina 

Kevin Ding: Lakers officially sign new Mike Brown consultant Ettore Messina, named one of Euroleague's 10 greatest all-time coaches in '08. Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Coaching, Mike Brown, Ettore Messina 

Kevin Ding: Ettore Messina on Lakers: "I am honored to have received this opportunity from one of the greatest basketball organizations in the world." Twitter

Los Angeles Lakers, Coaching, Mike Brown, Ettore Messina