EL SEGUNDO -- Back on the mainland, but perhaps not back on terra firma, the Lakers returned to work Saturday after nearly two weeks in Hawaii.
Lakers coach Phil Jackson answered a new round of questions about the earthquake that team owner Jerry Buss triggered Wednesday. Jackson said he met with Kobe Bryant the day after Buss said he would consider trading Bryant.
Jackson declined to say Buss' comments distracted the Lakers, instead blaming their loss Thursday to the Golden State Warriors on "island fever."
"I didn't consult with them, although I did (speak to Bryant)," Jackson said. "I just thought they didn't play with the kind of energy I wanted in the second half. They played OK in the first half, but, yeah, I thought it might have an influence on the game. They're relatively good professionals. They just go back to business as it is."
Business as usual often means turmoil rather than tranquility for the Lakers. Buss shattered the relative calm of the first 10 days of training camp when he suggested during an interview with beat reporters that he would "listen to offers" for Bryant.
Buss also said he hadn't been offered a deal he would consider accepting. Bryant demanded to be traded during a series of radio interviews one day in May, not long after the Lakers' first-round playoff ouster by the Phoenix Suns.
Bryant's reaction to Buss' comments has been limited to a brief statement in which the superstar guard said little. Bryant didn't speak with reporters Saturday, so it was left to Jackson to address the issue.
"I think that he was being as honest as he could be. That's Jerry Buss' approach," Jackson said. "The cold, bare facts of the situation are just kind of sobering. His first statement stands out most importantly. We don't want to trade Kobe and if we win everything will be OK. That's the cold, bare fact of this thing."
Jackson said it probably was for the best that Buss made his comments during training camp rather than midseason, when the impact of his words might cause a distraction that could lead to defeats during games that truly matter.
"Here's the best time," Jackson said. "The season hasn't started. It's probably best that it comes out now and we'll go into the season and everything will be straightened out. Hopefully, that's what will happen."
Jackson also addressed a critical statement Kevin Garnett made last week about the Lakers' front office. Garnett said he did not wish to be traded to the Lakers last summer, so the Minnesota Timberwolves dealt him to the Boston Celtics instead.
"I just sort of brush that off as him not understanding the situation," Jackson said.
Injury updates: Kwame Brown (shoulder and ankle) and Lamar Odom (shoulder) sat out most of practice as they continued to recover from offseason surgeries.
Maurice Evans missed the end of a scrimmage because of a sore hamstring and Vladimir Radmanovic also sat because of a stiff neck.
Jackson said he hopes Odom will be sound enough to play in one of the Lakers' final two exhibitions and can join the starting lineup for opening night, Oct. 30.
"I'm hoping he's going to be available for one of the last two exhibition games, but we'll see," Jackson said. "He's doing stuff on the court with us, but no contact. He looks good. There's some weakness in that shoulder, but he's going through a lot of exercises to strengthen things."
http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_7173001
PJ: Lakers Not Distracted By Kobe Talk
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