Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant appears to be losing his patience. The perennial All-Star reportedly doesn't want to play for Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni, and he publicly questioned the team's ownership.
Bryant, who is officially done for the season, reportedly wants D'Antoni gone by the time he returns.
Per Sean Deveney of Sporting News:
"ESPN's Stephen A. Smith reported on Wednesday morning that he had heard D'Antoni would be out, and that the Lakers' potential pursuit of free-agent Carmelo Anthony would be the reason. But multiple sources told Sporting News that the reason for D'Antoni's potential dismissal is closer to home -- star guard Kobe Bryant.
"Bryant, sources said, has 'no interest' in playing for D'Antoni next season, and wants a new coach in place for the 2014-15 season."
D'Antoni's two seasons in Los Angeles have been marred by injury-depleted rosters, but Bryant, in the twilight of his career, is adamant about making the most of the time he has left and winning his elusive sixth NBA title.
A coaching change isn't the only thing Bryant wants. He spoke about how the organization needs to find its direction, starting with the ownership.
"I think we have to start at the top in terms of the culture of our team," Bryant said on Wednesday, via ESPN. "What kind of culture do we want to have? What kind of system do we want to have? How do we want to play? It starts there and from there, you can start building out your team accordingly. ...
"You got to start with Jim and Jeanie and how that relationship plays out. It starts there and having a clear direction and clear authority. And then it goes down to the coaching staff and what Mike (D'Antoni) is going to do, what they're going to do with Mike and it goes from there. It's got to start from the top."
Los Angeles already seemingly missed their second chance to bring back retired coach Phil Jackson, who reportedly agreed to work in the New York Knicks' front office. Bryant admitted missing -- or passing up -- on Jackson for the second time would be "hard to understand."
The Lakers are destined for a lottery pick in the 2014 draft, but Bryant doesn't want to rebuild -- he wants to win now, and he admitted he has "not one lick" of patience for a slow rebuild. Los Angeles will have salary cap space in the summer and is expected to be active in free agency.
