Lakers' Jim Buss Regrets Not Contacting Kobe Bryant Before Hiring Mike Brown

In an absolutely stunning turn of events, Lakers vice president Jim Buss is expressing regrets about not contacting Kobe Bryant before hiring Mike Brown as the Lakers' next head coach and successor to Phil Jackson this week. From the Los Angeles Times:

"Looking back on it, we should have contacted Kobe," Buss says. "Kobe said it was management's job to pick a coach. He just said, 'Defense first.' That's what we were doing, but we should have reached out to him."

Buss is, however, encouraged by the idea that Brown's work ethic might impress Bryant, who he calls "the workaholic."

Our Lakers blog, Silver Screen and Roll, is skeptical enough of this interview to wonder whether this might be a "spin job," but concedes that Buss even agreeing to sit down and talk about the decision proves that the Lakers' new boss isn't "completely oblivious." Pro Basketball Talk's Matt Moore wonders if this public admission means a private apology to Bryant happened, and, if so, whether that means anything.