Fansided

NBA Rumors: Kobe Bryant didn’t care that Mike D’Antoni quit as head coach

By Josh Hill

Feb 16, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant speaks during a press conference before the 2014 NBA All-Star Game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 16, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant speaks during a press conference before the 2014 NBA All-Star Game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 16, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant speaks during a press conference before the 2014 NBA All-Star Game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 16, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant speaks during a press conference before the 2014 NBA All-Star Game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

It took longer than we expected it to, but the Los Angeles Lakers and head coach Mike D’Antoni parted ways earlier this month, ending the coach’s tumultuous run with the team. While he ended up leaving on his own terms, there were not a whole lot of tears being shed over the loss of D’Antoni, and Kobe Bryant demonstrated that last night on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles passed along what Bryant said on Kimmel last night. 

"“Honestly I didn’t care,” Bryant said Thursday during a guest appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” when asked by Kimmel if he was “happy” that D’Antoni accepted a buyout of close to $2 million for next season rather than come back to coach the team."

This isn’t all that surprising as the relationship between Bryant and D’Antoni was nothing more than mandatory and even that meant a low grade relationship. Bryant was one of many who wanted D’Antoni out and now that he’s gone the Lakers can focus once again on finding the right guy for the job — which means asking Kobe Bryant who he wants leading the team.

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