Uncertainty Amid Cheers at Lakers’ Season Opener

The curtain went up Tuesday on a Laker season marked by huge expectations and even greater uncertainties, and the opening-night spectacle at Staples Center looked much like the days and weeks that preceded it.

Three-quarters of the stars were aligned and in the starting lineup; the fourth was nursing a knee -- and perhaps an ego -- back to health.

In a 109-93 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, Shaquille O’Neal played to form, an undeniable force against a team that, typically, had no answer for a 7-foot-1, 340-pound man on a mission.

Gary Payton hawked the ball on defense and smoothly guided a fast break in a way that hadn’t been seen since the Magic Johnson years, deftly flipping passes to that second newcomer, 40-year-old Karl Malone, who played like a man half his age.

There, too, was Kobe Bryant, of course, a missing star among stars until he emerged to a chorus of cheers in the closing seconds of the third quarter. Wearing a red T-shirt and black sweatpants, he took a seat on the bench next to, of all teammates, O’Neal, his costar in three championship seasons and, in the last few days, a soap-opera-like feud.

Say what you will about their chances for a championship season, at least these Lakers won’t be boring.

Bryant, a five-time NBA All-Star, did not play despite pleas from his teammates to suit up. Instead, he spent more than half the game in the bowels of the arena, working out and undergoing physical therapy. Bryant is recovering from knee surgery and said he needed rest, but longtime Laker followers could not remember the last time the eight-year veteran guard voluntarily sat out.

“I would hope Kobe recognizes he has personal problems that are more important than basketball,” said Charles Ruck of Corona del Mar, a season-ticket holder of nearly 20 years.

Cheers for Bryant

The game was an odd mix of familiar sights and uncharted terrain. The national anthem was sung for the 21st consecutive season by Jeffrey Osborne, but Bryant did not join the team on the floor until his grand entrance well after halftime. Earlier in the day, he had been fined $2,500 by the team for comments critical of O’Neal after Laker officials had demanded a truce.

When he finally joined his teammates, Bryant’s image was displayed on the big screen above the court and he received a warm welcome, with the crowd chanting, “Ko-be, Ko-be.”

Before the game, the Mavericks were roundly booed. The Lakers were wildly cheered. Forward Malone and guard Payton -- perennial NBA All-Stars who joined the Lakers this season at drastically reduced salaries in search of a championship -- drew the loudest ovations during introductions. O’Neal was greeted by cheers that drowned out a handful of scattered boos.

“I’m proud to stand up and cheer them,” said Tom Zimmerman of La Crescenta, who wore a gold Laker polo shirt. “This coach can handle the situation, especially because a couple of mature guys joined the team.”

The Lakers seemed to shrug off the turmoil with ease, scoring the first eight points and leading, 29-15, after one quarter.

The last time the Lakers played at Staples in a game that counted was May 14, the night a 28-point loss to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals snapped their streak of three consecutive NBA championships.

It was a wrenching scene: Bryant, slumped on the bench, sobbing. O’Neal, his face buried in a towel. Phil Jackson, plainly weary, explaining that neither his disappointment nor the angioplasty he’d undergone a week earlier would keep him from returning as coach.

Little more than a month later, optimism replaced anguish. Reports surfaced that Malone, the second-leading scorer in NBA history, and Payton, a seven-time All-Star, were considering coming to the Lakers.

Neither had won a title, and by joining forces with O’Neal and Bryant, they reasoned, how could they miss?

“With four great players like us playing with each other, we’re going to have a great chance to win a championship,” Payton said this week.

Trouble Began in July

But the first crisis came only two days after Payton and Malone verbally committed to come on board. Bryant was arrested July 4 in Eagle, Colo., on suspicion of felony sexual assault and false imprisonment stemming from a June 30 encounter with a 19-year-old woman at the mountain resort where Bryant had stayed while awaiting knee surgery.

Undeterred, Malone and Payton signed July 16.

Two days later, Bryant was formally charged with one count of felony sexual assault, punishable by four years to life in prison.

Since then, it seems each day has brought fresh rumors and salacious details about the case against Bryant.

For fans, the experience was like watching a nighttime soap. The information was riveting, even addictive in an odd way, yet many couldn’t help thinking that their time and attention might be better spent.

“We try to separate what is going on in the news from what goes on in athletics, even when they do something stupid,” said Lynda Vickers, a fan from Orange County wearing a Malone jersey and sitting with her husband, David. “It’s a mistake putting [athletes] on a pedestal and sitting in judgment of them. People have unrealistic expectations of their behavior.”

Bryant’s trial might occur after the season. Then again, it might not.

His next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 13 -- an off day between Laker home games against Toronto and Detroit -- and a trial date is up in the air. Could be April, just as the playoffs are approaching. Could be August, well after the champions are crowned.

Will those champions be the Lakers, for the fourth time in five years? Or will this mad hoarding of talent cause the team to, in Jackson’s word, “implode?”

After their victory over the Mavericks, the Lakers left the court smiling. So did the fans. Only 81 regular-season games, a handful of court dates and the playoffs to go.