Laker Nation breathed a huge sigh of relief when Mike D’Antoni quit his job following a disastrous 2013-’14 campaign.
Kobe Bryant essentially shrugged when the news of D’Antoni’s resignation broke, but admits that he and D’Antoni simply couldn’t find common ground.
Bryant is pumped up about incoming head coach Byron Scott – Kobe feels that he and Scott are more philosophically aligned.
Per ESPN and the Lakers’ team website:
Kobe: "DAntoni and I didn't have the same philosophy on winning. For me, it's winning and no inbtwn…it's championship or a waste of time"
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) September 29, 2014
Q: On whether Scott is bringing back principles from the Lakers’ past:
Bryant: “Well, yeah. It’s a philosophical thing. He agrees with me and this Laker organization that we’re here for one reason only, and that’s to hang championship banners. Not division banners. Not anything else – Western Conference (championship banners) – you don’t do that. You focus on winning championships, and I think that’s very important for our young guys to understand.”
Q: On the challenge of managing his minutes with Scott:
Bryant: “I don’t see it as much of a big deal. I’m kind of sensing today from how many times I’ve been asked that, it seems to be kind of a hot topic of conversation. I don’t really understand it too much. I think as you get older you have to learn to accept certain things you can and can’t do. I think there’s strength in that vulnerability. I don’t see it as much of an issue.”
