Kobe Bryant wants to be involved in selecting next Lakers coach

Bryant said on Jimmy Kimmel that he "didn't care" D'Antoni left, but he does hope to have a say in the hiring of D'Anonti's replacement. (Randy Holmes/Getty

Bryant said on Jimmy Kimmel that he "didn't care" D'Antoni left, but he does hope to have a say in the hiring of D'Anonti's replacement. (Randy Holmes/Getty Images)

The past two Lakers coaches haven't worked out too well for the franchise, a fact that Kobe Bryant is very aware of.

In his reaction to coach Mike D'Antoni's resignation, Bryant said he "didn't care." D'Antoni took a $2 million buyout, rather than playing out the final year on his contract.

With two years remaining on his own contract, Bryant said he is hoping the Lakers will involve him in the process of hiring a head coach. From Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles:

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."

MAHONEY: Kobe Bryant on Mike D’Antoni’s Lakers resignation: ‘Honestly, I didn’t care’

Although it's not clear how much playing time Bryant will even get during the remainder of his contract with the team. He'll be 36 years old next season, and sustained a ruptured Achilles tendon at the end of the 2012-2013 season, then made it through just six games this season before he fractured his knee.

However, Bryant said in the same interview that he's 100% healthy. From McMenamin:

"From a health standpoint, 100 percent," Bryant said of where he stands after missing 76 games this season because of a fractured knee and torn Achilles in his left leg. "I started doing a lot of on-court training and so I'm back into my routine. Then I'll start lifting and start doing the running, which I hate. By the time the season comes around, I'll be ready to go."