Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni delays bench debut

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Mike D'Antoni is postponing his debut on the Los Angeles Lakers' bench, giving the coach a few more days to recover from recent knee replacement surgery.

D'Antoni was tentatively planning to take over Sunday night against Houston, a week after the Lakers hired him to replace Mike Brown.

Instead, Lakers trainer Gary Vitti and D'Antoni's wife persuaded him to wait at least another game.

D'Antoni agreed, saying he doesn't ''want to be a sideshow.''

The 61-year-old former player is getting around without crutches, but isn't his usual spry self yet.

Interim coach Bernie Bickerstaff will lead the Lakers against the Rockets. The Lakers are 3-1 under Bickerstaff, and D'Antoni says he'll keep the veteran coach on his staff for the rest of the season.

Los Angeles hosts Brooklyn on Tuesday.