A Real Nail-Biter? Not for Bryant

By TIM KAWAKAMI

April 6, 2000 12 AM PT

OAKLAND —

The pregame ritual was a little different, but, of course, so was the during-game ritual for Kobe Bryant, who was suspended from Tuesday’s Laker victory over Phoenix and watched it at home.

Before the game, Bryant went to watch the movie “Romeo Must Die,” got back home in time for tipoff, and rejoined the team Wednesday morning for the game against the Golden State Warriors.

“It was hard, but it wasn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be,” Bryant said of watching the tight game on TV. “I knew they were going to pull it out. I had complete confidence in them, so I wasn’t biting my nails or anything.”

Meanwhile, Bryant said he wasn’t sure if he would follow his agent Arn Tellem’s inclination to file an appeal to recover some or all of his $5,000 fine plus game without pay ($109,756).

“He mentioned it to me, but I said I really don’t want to,” Bryant said before Wednesday’s game. “Last time I talked to Arn was last night. And I told him I really didn’t want to appeal. Not really--really doesn’t matter to me.”

The New York Knicks’ Chris Childs, who landed two punches in Sunday’s fight with Bryant, indicated that he intended to appeal his $15,000 fine and two- game suspension.

Laker Coach Phil Jackson and assistant Frank Hamblen had their own way of welcoming Bryant back at the morning shoot-around.

“He was somewhat disconnected from the group,” Jackson said. “It was when Frank Hamblen said he thought that Larry Hughes [the Warrior guard who scored 41 against Bryant and the Lakers in their previous trip to Oakland] picked him up with his own chauffeured limousine at the airport so that he could play against him.

“I think Kobe perked up a little bit.”

After Ron Harper played 39 minutes Tuesday, Jackson chose not to dress him for Wednesday’s game.

“You won’t see Harp in a uniform tonight,” Jackson said before the game. “He’ll probably be carrying one on the bench, I’ll have to tone him down. . . .

“The reality is that after 39 minutes of a hard game, this is the kind of game where we can avoid [playing him]. . . .

“If he was in his uniform, the temptation to play him would be too great.”

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Triple Plays / The Big 3

Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and Glen Rice have been the driving force behind the Lakers’ success. How they fared:

O’NEAL

*--*

Wed. Season 49 Points 29.5 13 Rebounds 13.6 1 Assists 3.8

*--*

BRYANT

*--*

Wed. Season 16 Points 22.2 5 Rebounds 6.2 11 Assists 4.8