Fox and Horry Miss the Opener

With Rick Fox experiencing continued problems with the cushioning in his shoes and Robert Horry in Houston with his wife, who gave birth to a boy Friday, Coach Del Harris started Corie Blount at power forward and a low-profile 20-year-old named Kobe Bryant at small forward against the Houston Rockets to kick off the season.

And maybe, possibly, who knows, Harris said, this might be the beginning of a long starting run for Bryant.

Fox, still awaiting new athletic insoles, did not dress Friday and was not expected to play Sunday against Utah, Harris said, and possibly not Monday in San Antonio.

“Ideally, when Kobe Bryant obviously establishes himself as a guy you just can’t keep out of the starting lineup, we’ll put him in there the next 10 years or so,” Harris said before the game.

“That’s what you hope for. That can happen at any time.”

Harris did caution that, under normal conditions, Fox has earned the right to win or lose his starting spot on the floor--not in street clothes with sore feet and ankles.

“We don’t want to predict the future,” Harris said. “We’ll wait at least until Rick gets into a rhythm.”

Harris said Blount got the start because he was more experienced than Travis Knight and because he needed to keep Elden Campbell backing up Shaquille O’Neal at center.

Bryant, for his part, said he understands that he’ll probably be coming out of the starting lineup very quickly--no matter what he does.

“I know right now that with this team, what’s best for the team is me coming off the bench,” Bryant said. “I can come off the bench and provide instant offense. . . .

“I can start tonight, then go back to the bench on Sunday--that’s fine with me.”

Horry was expected to be back with the team today, and to be ready for Sunday’s game. But Harris suggested that, if Fox is out, Horry probably would play power forward and Bryant would stay at the small.