Whether Los Angeles Lakers fans like it or not, Mike D'Antoni is the new head coach out west after talks with coaching legend Phil Jackson fell apart Sunday night.
According to ESPN, D'Antoni received a four-year contract and they reported that three of these years are guaranteed along with a $12 million payday.
As of right now, the move is receiving a lot of backlash from the media as they continue to point out different reasons why they dislike the move, but, Kobe Bryant seems to have no problem having D'Antoni around.
"I love PJ, but I'm very excited about D'Antoni," Kobe said Monday.
One obvious reason to bring the former Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks coach is Steve Nash.
With Nash in his lineup, D'Antoni has a .733 winning percentage. When Nash doesn't play with him, his winning percentage drops almost by half at .385.
Analysts around the league were punishing Mike Brown's use of Nash in this "Princeton Style offense" he was developing, which likely led to his firing.
As soon as Brown was gone, the Lakers began winning as they are now 3-4 after under Bernie Bickerstaff, who took over for Brown who started the season 1-4.
D'Antoni reportedly had knee surgery, so he has not been cleared to fly. The Lakers shouldn't have any trouble winning as they have had success under Bickerstaff so far in his short tenure.
Though D'Antoni has not won any championships, it will be interesting to see what he can do with this Lakers' offense.
Kobe is excited. Nash has to be excited. Let's hope Dwight Howard likes D'Antoni as well. At least for the sake of the Lakers.
The Lakers next game will be on Tuesday against the San Antonio Spurs.
