“I love PJ (Phil Jackson) but I’m very excited about (Mike) D’Antoni,” Kobe Bryant told ESPN early Monday.

(Steve) Nash and Bryant expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of playing for D’Antoni, although Bryant eagerly campaigned for a third stint for Jackson on the Lakers’ bench. Bryant idolized D’Antoni while growing up in Italy, where D’Antoni was a star player in the Italian league.

“Obviously I think everyone knows how much I love Mike,” Nash said Sunday night prior to the hiring. “If (D’Antoni) were to coach, it would be seamless and terrific for me, and I think the team as well.”

via Ramona Shelburne and Marc Stein of ESPN Los Angeles