PHOENIX, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Losses to have-nots Orlando and Miami apparently were the last straws for Phoenix owner Jerry Colangelo, who Wednesday fired Coach Frank Johnson.
The Suns, who are 8-13 and one of only two teams in Western Conference with a losing record, replaced Johnson with assistant coach Mike D'Antoni.
During his tenure, Johnson, who took over on Feb. 17, 2002, had a mark of 63-71 (.470).
One player who was not happy was veteran guard Penny Hardaway.
"This will be my seventh coach in 11 years," Hardaway said.
The Suns just completed a 1-3 road trip that also included a loss to the struggling Miami Heat. The loss to the Magic allowed Orlando to snap a franchise-record 19-game skid.
D'Antoni, a 30-year professional basketball veteran as a player, coach, front office executive, and scout in the NBA, ABA, and the Italian League, joined the Suns staff on June 25, 2002 as the top assistant.
He coached the Denver Nuggets in the NBA shortened lockout season in 1998-99 and went 14-36.
