Sep 29, 2008 8:06 pm US/Pacific
All Quiet, Happy As Lakers Ready To Open Camp
LOS ANGELES (AP) ―
With his Olympic gold medal hanging around the neck of last season's NBA MVP trophy, Kobe Bryant is eager to move on and find out if the Los Angeles Lakers can win their first championship since 2002.
Already things are much quieter than a year ago, when the Lakers' season began in turmoil, with Bryant calling the team's front office "a mess" and asking to be traded. They eventually turned things around and reached the NBA finals, losing to the Boston Celtics in six games.
"There's a lot to be happy about, a lot to be thankful about," a smiling Bryant said Monday when the Lakers reunited on the eve of training camp. "We're in much better position now than we were. We're the favorites for a reason. We got all the tools here, now it's on us to do the work."
The best news is the return of 7-foot, 285-pound Andrew Bynum, who sustained a season-ending knee injury Jan. 13. He was averaging 13.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.06 blocks and shooting a league-best 63.6 percent from the field when he got hurt.
"I feel fine, the knee is fine," he said. "I'm definitely 100 percent."
With Bynum in the middle and 7-0 Pau Gasol at forward, the Lakers figure to improve significantly in rebounding and shot blocking.
"We have a lot of talent on this team," Bynum said. "The big focus this year is going to be on the defensive end."
Just don't refer to Bynum and Gasol as the twin towers.
"That's a Texas thing," Bryant said with a frown.
Acquiring Gasol in February helped the Lakers win the tough Western Conference and come within two games of taking the league title. But Gasol, a 250-pounder, didn't have the bulk needed to match up against Boston's heftier players.
"It was just about getting stronger over the summer, not necessarily about getting tougher. You can't get through the San Antonios and the Utahs without being tough," Bryant said. "Boston was a stronger team. What we want to shore up is becoming a better defensive team. Boston was better."
Coach Phil Jackson showed up clean shaven for Monday's media day.
"I need to look younger," the 63-year-old grandfather said jokingly.
Bryant turned 30 last month -- a day after helping the U.S. win a gold medal over Gasol and Spain at the Beijing Olympics. Jackson wants to reduce his superstar's minutes, but that was the plan last season and it didn't happen.
"I still played 40 minutes. I'm comfortable," Bryant said.
Jackson also wants the Lakers to emphasize defense, with Bryant taking the lead.
"We're hoping this year is one where his leadership defensively will also be as prominent as his offensive ability," he said.
Bryant plans to play a full season without having surgery on his right pinkie because recovery would take too long. He damaged ligaments in the finger in February, but averaged 28.3 points while playing in all 82 games and the playoffs.
"The finger is fine," he said, adding that it gets sore if he accidentally bumps it.
The only way he'll consider surgery is if the Lakers don't win a title this season.
"If we win a championship, I ain't doing nothing," he said. "I'm leaving it alone."
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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