Bryant: Too Soon for Sentimentality

Wednesday brought the future for Kobe Bryant, his pro debut, the first step. Tonight brings the past.

The Philadelphia 76ers are more than merely the Lakers’ opponents at the Forum. They are the hometown team for Bryant, from suburban Ardmore, and one of the three NBA teams his father, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, played for in eight years.

It’s also irrelevant.

“Just another team right now,” Bryant said. “I’m still trying to get settled in this organization. I don’t have time to concern myself with who the opponents are.”

So maybe when he gets to the regular season? When he plays at Philadelphia for the first time, Nov. 26, maybe remembering that Temple product Eddie Jones returned there as a rookie in January ’95 and was greeted like a conquering hero?

Bryant shrugged and smiled.

“I’m just trying to fit in here,” he said.

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Magic Johnson has sent a letter to the Hall of Fame, officially requesting that they reconsider his projected enshrinement for 2002 during a committee meeting next month. Johnson would like to go in with close friend Larry Bird in 1997, his original timetable before the 45-game comeback last season. Some on the Hall’s board of directors share the sentiment.