The Lakers hired Mike D’Antoni as their new head coach to replace Mike Brown. While many fans were unhappy with the decision, hoping instead for the return of Phil Jackson, one prominent Laker gives the deal a seal of approval.
“I love him,” Kobe Bryant simply said about Mike D’Antoni via e-mail to Y! Sports early Monday morning.
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) November 12, 2012
It has been known that Kobe Bryant idolized Mike D’Antoni when he was younger. D’Antoni was also the assistant coach for the U.S. Olympic Men’s basketball team in 2008 and 2012 when Kobe played. Also of note? Kobe initially wore #8 for the Lakers because D’Antoni wore #8 in his playing days.
And even when Bryant was a free agent, Phoenix was one of the destinations that Bryant looked to because of D’Antoni. So they’ve had a relationship for quite some time now.
Let’s hope this translates on to the court.