Tomjanovich agrees to become new coach of unsettled Lakers

LOS ANGELES — Rudy Tomjanovich and the Los Angeles Lakers have had an adversarial relationship since 1970.

He played against the Lakers; was punched and almost killed by one of them; sued them, and coached against them.

After all that, the parties have joined forces.

Tomjanovich, who guided the Houston Rockets to NBA championships in 1994 and 1995, has agreed to coach the Lakers — a move expected since Monday.

“We expect that he’ll sign a contract and we’ll hold a press conference (today) to announce it,” Lakers spokesman John Black said Friday.

Tomjanovich succeeds Phil Jackson, who coached the Lakers to three titles in five years.

The 55-year-old Tomjanovich coached the Rockets for 12 years before stepping down in May 2003 — two months after being diagnosed with bladder cancer.

Reportedly in good health now, he worked as a scout with the Rockets last season.

Tomjanovich was the winningest coach in Rockets history with a 503-397 record,.

He joins an unsettled team — Kobe Bryant is an unrestricted free agent and Shaquille O’Neal has demanded a trade. Derek Fisher and Karl Malone are also free agents.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Tomjanovich agreed to terms of a five-year contract worth about $30 million.

Tomjanovich survived one of the scariest moments in NBA history on Dec. 9, 1977, at The Forum in nearby Inglewood when Lakers forward Kermit Washington blindsided him with a devastating punch that shattered several facial bones.

Doctors later said the injuries were life-threatening, but Tomjanovich returned the following season.

Tomjanovich later filed a civil suit against the Lakers.

He was awarded $3.25 million by a jury, but the $2 million settlement was reached before an appeal was heard.