Tomjanovich resigns as Lakers coach

Tomjanovich said the decision was based on his health, although it is in no way related to the bladder cancer that forced him to take a medical leave of absence as coach of the Houston Rockets during the 2002-03 season.

"There are no outside influences — be it pressure from above — anything to do with my players. This is all about me," said Tomjanovich during a news conference Wednesday. "I came here in such great spirits and with this passion to take this opportunity and make the best of it.

"I had dealt with all kinds of stress and as the time went by I started to feel my resistance going down. I went from this energetic, pumped-up guy to being sapped. Why this happened now. Why my body couldn’t take it, I don’t have the answer."

Tomjanovich missed this past Sunday’s game because of a stomach virus and spoke with Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak about the situation. Kupchak said by Monday he knew Tomjanovich was going to resign, but wanted to wait to make the announcement until Tuesday because the club had a game Monday night.

"Maybe I took on too much," Tomjanovich added. "I had to be honest with Mitch and tell him how I felt."

Los Angeles posted a 92-79 win over Portland on Monday, with assistant Frank Hamblen guiding the team for a second straight victory.

The Lakers are 24-19 this season, but have a new look this year without the traded Shaquille O’Neal, and the club is now playing without star guard Kobe Bryant, who is sidelined with an ankle injury.

Tomjanovich took over as the 20th coach in franchise history last July, signing a five-year deal worth a reported $30 million, after Phil Jackson and the Lakers mutually agreed to part company following the NBA Finals loss to the Detroit Pistons.

The 56-year-old Tomjanovich was a lifetime Rocket before joining the Lakers. He played for the Houston franchise, and as coach led the team to consecutive NBA titles in 1994 and ’95.

In May 2003, Tomjanovich stepped down from the Houston job after 12 years following his medical leave to treat bladder cancer.

He has a career coaching record of 527-416, including 503-397 with the Rockets.