EL SEGUNDO – Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace were named to the 2013 All-Star ballot which was unveiled today during a special tip-off event in Houston, the Official Host City of NBA All-Star 2013.

Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss, VP Jim Buss and GM Mitch Kupchak collectively came to the decision to hire Mike D'Antoni on Sunday night at about 5 p.m.

On Tuesday morning, Kupchak met with selected reporters to address the coaching hire, discussing why D'Antoni got the job and explaining the process the team went through with former coach Phil Jackson.

Kobe Bryant addressed reporters after Tuesday's shootaround regarding Mike D'Antoni's hiring:

Q: On if he was surprised at the decision:
Bryant: I really didn't know what to expect, to be honest. I think we are all thinking it was gonna be Phil (Jackson). It probably caught Mike (D'Antoni) a little bit off guard, too. But I'm excited.