Bryant Enjoys Support

The people here jeer Kobe Bryant just as they do in other towns, both because of what he has done to their basketball teams in recent seasons and because of the news of the rape accusation against him. Mostly, though, it’s basketball and it rarely has seemed excessive.

San Antonio Coach Gregg Popovich chastised Spur fans on a radio show this week, however, for what he believed was abuse of Bryant in the game here on Nov. 6. By Wednesday morning’s shoot-around, word of Popovich’s protection had gotten back to Bryant.

“I appreciate that from Pop, for him sticking up for me like that

Well, that set the locals to wondering. Like, exactly how long? Sign-here-in-free-agency long? Play-for-Popovich long? Bryant can be a free agent after the season and at times in recent years has had thoughts of leaving the Lakers.

Laker Coach Phil Jackson said he would not view it as such.

“There’s just so much you can do,” he said. “That seems a long way away.... If you’re a standup personality you’re going to win the day and find free agents and they’re going to want to come to your club. If Kobe really wants to come to another place, he’s going to find a way to make it happen for him. [There are] not going be any machinations for him.

“I’ve got the greatest respect for Gregg. I think he does a great job coaching. He’s a gentleman. He’s one of the few guys in this league, one of several guys I should say, in this league, that compete at a level in which he’s totally engrossed in the game, animated about it, yet he’s still got a lot of class.

“He’s capable of congratulating you or whatever. It’s just the kind of person he is. It bodes well for the league when a guy gives you that kind of support.”

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Gary Payton scored on a layup in the first quarter Wednesday and became the second player in league history to accumulate 19,000 points, 7,000 assists and 2,000 steals.

John Stockton is the other.

“I don’t really think about it,” said Payton, who had 16 points, six assists and two steals against the Spurs. “I don’t think about numbers stuff. I just play. But, it’s great to be in the same breath as John Stockton. As you guys know, I idolize him.”

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Since the start of the season, Laker merchandise is the most sought-after in the NBA, according to sales figures compiled from the NBA Store in New York City and on NBA.com.

The Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers ranked just behind the Lakers.

In sales of individual jerseys, rookies LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony were most popular. Bryant, who rated first last season, ranked fifth. Shaquille O’Neal and Payton also ranked in the top 15.

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Television analyst Steve Kerr, who played on Jackson’s 72-game winner in Chicago, said this week he did not believe the Lakers would challenge that record. And, he added in a TNT promotional e-mail, he hoped they didn’t.

“I’m kind of like Nick Buoniconti of the 1972 Dolphins,” he said. “I toast champagne once everyone in the league hits their thirteenth loss.”

A few minutes later, the correction arrived.

“Eleventh loss.”

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The Lakers seem to have everyone’s attention now.

The Dallas Mavericks beat the Washington Wizards by 25 points on Monday night, then their coach announced the effort wouldn’t be near enough later in the week.

“We’re going to have to play better than that,” Don Nelson said, “if we want to beat the Lakers.”