Kobe glad to play for Jackson again

[Stone Cold is Bout It, Bout It]

Associated Press
Posted: 1 hour ago     
 
 
 
 EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) - Kobe Bryant welcomed Phil Jackson back with open arms Monday.

Honest.
The way Bryant spoke about his former and current coach with the Los Angeles Lakers, one would hardly know the two had problems in the past.


"We both know what we need to do. We're both determined to make it happen," Bryant told reporters at the team's media day - shortly before the Lakers left for a 10-day training camp in Honolulu. They'll play their first two preseason games Oct. 11-12 against Golden State.

"He taught me how to play the game. He's the coach, I'm the player," Bryant said. "We don't think we're going to have any problems."

Differences cropped up several times during Jackson's previous five years as coach of the Lakers, and Jackson had critical words for Bryant in a book he wrote documenting the 2003-04 season - Jackson's last year in his first go-round with the team.

"It doesn't bother me at all. Do I hold any hard feelings? Not at all," Bryant said. "Life is to short to sit around and hold grudges. I don't hold any whatsoever."

Bryant said he might have felt differently two or three years ago, and acknowledged mistakes he's made in the past.

"I'm 27, I've learned a great deal and have a lot more to learn," he said. "I'm at a point now where I can forgive and move on. Now that I'm a little older and he's back for round two, I look for our communication to increase. I've always felt like I was able to talk to him, now it's even more so."

Bryant also spoke of Jackson's great ability as a coach.

"His strength is really to get everybody on the same page," Bryant said. "He's masterful at doing it. We're just going to follow his lead. Anybody who wins that many championships puts the opposition in a defensive position."

Jackson coached the Chicago Bulls to six championships in the 1990s and the Lakers to three titles, from 2000-02. He's tied with former Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach for the NBA record with nine championships, and he's accomplished the feat in just 14 years.

When asked if he's spoken with Jackson about any possible issues, Bryant replied: "We haven't had to. Phil's back. I'm excited that he's back. I'm really looking forward to working with him."

Jackson announced previously that Bryant would serve as a team captain.

"I'd like to see him as a team leader," the coach said. "This is a leadership situation he's involved in."

The 60-year-old Jackson signed a three-year contract worth around $30 million in June - nearly a year after being told by Lakers owner Jerry Buss it was time for a coaching change.

Rudy Tomjanovich signed a five-year contract to coach the Lakers, but left barely a half-season into it, citing health concerns. The Lakers wound up with a 34-48 record - one of the worst in franchise history - and missed the playoffs for only the second time since 1976.

Bryant appeared thinner than last season after bulking up in the summer of 2004.

"I just want to be able to run all day," he said. "I had a long summer to prepare for this season. I'm very hungry."

Bryant's teammates realize the Jackson-Bryant relationship will be scrutinized.

"I think they're both two of the best professionals at what they do," Luke Walton said. "I don't think it's going to be a problem.

"If it is," Walton added with a smile, "I'm sure the media will be there to cover it."

Devean George said he expects Jackson and Bryant to do just fine together.

"I think it will be easy," George said. "They both want to win. That will kind of overshadow things."

George said he didn't bother to read Jackson's book.

"Half the time, I knew what happened anyway," he said with a smile.


 http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/4929378

[LoLo]

propz foe newz

[herpes]

what next your goin tell us what time kobe took a shit today