Los Angeles, CA

The Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak isn't blaming coach Mike D'Antoni for the team's 17-24 start.

Instead, Kupchak singled out the Lakers' lack of effort as the primary problem.

"I'd like to see better effort on the court. When the ball is not bouncing your way, when shots aren't going in, you just can't seem to get a break, the one thing you can control on the court is your effort and loose balls and running the floor, defending, offensive rebounding," says Kupchak.

Kupchak claimed D'Antoni's system was "more suited to the talent" on the Lakers than Phil Jackson's Triangle offense, and yet several players have had a difficult time fitting in.

Dwight Howard complained about his lack of post-up and shot attempts, and Pau Gasol has balked about coming off the bench, while Antawn Jamison and Jodie Meeks endured sitting out numerous games.

Yet, Kupchak said D'Antoni's shuffling of the roster is evidence that the coach is trying new things in order to win.

"Sometimes a player is just not going to fit. Sometimes a coach has to make changes and compromise in the way he's done things and I think that's what Mike is going through right now is just the process," explains Kupchak about why he has utmost confidence in D'Antoni.

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