Shoe Wars Continue

Nike would like to pay Kobe Bryant at least $25 million over five years to wear its shoes. Negotiations have sagged recently, however, according to industry sources, and Reebok remains a viable alternative if talks break down.

Bryant left Adidas in the summer and has been looking for a new deal since. According to sources, he bought himself out of that contract for as much as $8 million and agreed not to sign a contract with another shoe company until after the All-Star game and not to wear a competitor’s shoe for more than three consecutive games.

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TONIGHT

at Indiana Pacers, 4 PST, Channel 9 (delayed, 5:30)

Site -- Conseco Fieldhouse.

Radio -- KLAC (570), KWKW (1330), KIRN (670).

Records -- Lakers 22-23, Pacers 34-14.

Record vs. Pacers (2001-02) -- 2-0.

Update -- Pacer Coach Isiah Thomas will sit out Game 2 of his two-game suspension for his part in Friday’s tussle with the Toronto Raptors.

-- Tim Brown