Kobe Bryant, speaking publicly for the first time since Mike D'Antoni resigned from the Los Angeles Lakers, expressed apathy about the turn of events but also said he'd like to have an active role in choosing a new coach.
"Honestly, I didn't care," Bryant said Thursday when asked whether he was happy D'Antoni accepted a buyout of close to $2 million instead of coming back to coach the team next season, "This is a tough place, man. If you're not winning, you're not going to survive, man."
Bryant hopes the Lakers will sing a different tune than they have in the past when it comes to consulting him about hiring a coach.
"On the last two they didn't," Bryant said, referring to Mike Brown and D'Antoni, who both failed to endure the length of the initial contracts they signed with the Lakers before parting ways. "On the third one, I'm hoping they do."