Lakers Hire Real Madrid's Messina

The Los Angeles Lakers seem to be collecting new coaches like my nephew collects Pokemon cards, the latest is European coach Ettore Messina the was added to the collection on Friday.

Messina spent the last two seasons as the head coach of the Spanish League Club, Real Madrid, will serve as a coaching consultant for the Lakers.

"I am honored to have received this opportunity from one of the greatest basketball organizations in the world," said Messina. 'I have great respect for coach Mike Brown and I'm excited to work with him and his staff."

Highly decorated, Messina was named one of the Euroleague's 10 Greatest All- Time Coaches in 2008. Other honors include European Coach of the Year (1998), Euroleague Coach of the Year (2006 and 2008) and Italian Coach of the Year (1990, 1993, 1998, 2001 and 2005).