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Bryant still a Laker, ready for opener vs. Rockets

Oct 30, 2007 - 1:43 PM Houston (0-0) at La Lakers (0-0) 10:30 pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Kobe Bryant is still a member of the Los Angeles Lakers - for now.

Bryant and the Lakers host the Houston Rockets in the season opener for both teams on Tuesday.

Bryant has been on the block since owner Jerry Buss said he would listen to offers for the two-time scoring champion earlier this month.

The three-time NBA champion missed Friday's preseason finale because of a sprained wrist, but is expected to be in uniform for the opener.

Bryant is upset that the Lakers were eliminated by the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs for the second consecutive season and did nothing to improve the team in the offseason.

How Bryant interacts with his teammates will be heavily scrutinized, since he has cited the lack of talent around him as the reason for his trade demand in May.

His relationship with coach Phil Jackson also will be closely monitored after Jackson said Bryant, "hasn't thrown his heart and soul into performing on the floor," this preseason.

Meanwhile, the Lakers will be missing Lamar Odom, who was the team's second-leading scorer. Odom underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in May, and will likely miss the first two weeks of the season.

Los Angeles, which lost 27 of its last 43 games last season, can ill afford to be distracted against a solid Rockets team.

First-year coach Rick Adelman replaces Jeff Van Gundy, who led Houston to its best record in 10-years. However, the Rockets were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for the fourth straight season, prompting a coaching change.

Adelman inherits a solid nucleus of Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. Ming averaged a career-best 25.0 points last season and McGrady added 24.6 and 6.5 assists.

Joining them will be Steve Francis, who returns to Houston after two seasons in Orlando and two in New York.

The teams split four games last season.