L.A. Lakers make Mike D'Antoni hiring official

The Los Angeles Lakers have officially hired Mike D'Antoni to be their head coach, according to the team's website.

Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said that "Mike was the right person at this time to lead the Lakers forward."

Kupchak cited the make-up of the roster and D'Antoni's style of play as reasons for his hiring.

The Lakers website reports that owner Dr. Jerry Buss, executive vice president Jim Buss and Kupchak both agreed that D'Antoni was the best coach for the team.

Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash expressed support for the idea of playing for D'Antoni as well. Nash played for D'Antoni in Phoenix when he won back-to-back MVP wards in 2005 and 2006.

D'Antoni had an opportunity to coach Bryant as an assistant with Team USA in the 2012 Olympic games.

The team is expected to have a press conference to introduce D'Antoni on either Tuesday or Wednesday.

This story was originally published on SBNation.com.