Kobe: I Don’t Like Miller

Kobe Bryant wants to know why the questions won’t stop.

Real simple. It’s because the answers are so good.

It has been eight days since Bryant threw a punch at Reggie Miller after the Lakers beat the Indiana Pacers at Staples Center. Both players served two-game suspensions and Bryant is ready to change the subject to basketball.

But when he was asked about Miller following practice Friday at the HealthSouth Training Center in El Segundo, Bryant couldn’t resist.

“I dislike him,” Bryant said. “I don’t like him at all. But when we are on the court, we will play as professionals.”

Then he added as a parting shot at Miller, “He has a lot of enemies.”

Bryant insists he is surprised the fight remains in the spotlight.

“I don’t think it’s a big deal,” he said. “Everybody has overanalyzed it. A fight is a fight. I’m ready to move on.... Magic [Johnson] had his fights, Michael [Jordan] had his fights, [Charles] Barkley had his fights. Larry Bird had his fights.... This is not like [Mike] Tyson and [Evander] Holyfield. It’s ridiculous. It’s not like I bit his ear off.”

The talk about Bryant-Miller will ultimately end, when Bryant stops talking about it.

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Power forward Samaki Walker, who has missed the last 10 games because of a hyperextended right elbow, is expected to miss at least one more. He had hoped to be back for Sunday’s game against the New York Knicks at Staples Center, but that appears unlikely after he was held out of practice Friday.

“I am not yet ready for contact,” Walker said. “This sets me back a little. They want me to prepare for the long haul.”

Walker, who was hurt Feb. 17 when he locked arms with Portland’s Shawn Kemp, admits his elbow is not at full strength and he is still experiencing pain. But that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t like to convince Coach Phil Jackson, trainer Gary Vitti and the medical staff he is fit to play.

“Maybe I can get him [Vitti] in a head lock and change his mind,” Walker said.

“With the other arm,” he added.

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An MRI exam taken Friday afternoon revealed that guard Brian Shaw has a bruised right shoulder. He is listed as questionable for Sunday.

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Steve Springer