Bryant Threats to Be Discussed

A member of Kobe Bryant’s security team will meet today with Eagle County Sheriff’s Dept. officers regarding recent and credible threats made against Bryant, according to a source close to the investigation.

Jose Revilla, part owner in O+R Protective Services, the firm employed by the Lakers and Bryant to guard the Laker player and his family, is expected to make the trip today from Denver to Eagle, the source said.

The nature of the threats is unknown. Bryant is charged with felony sexual assault stemming from a June 30 encounter last year with a woman at an Edwards, Colo., resort.

Bryant’s security has requested numerous changes to procedures in and around the Eagle County courthouse, but previously has been denied. According to the source, law-enforcement officials also are open to discussing new strategies because of the threats.

The relationship between Bryant’s security force -- two of which were with Bryant on the night of the alleged incident and are expected to be called to testify in a trial -- and local law-enforcement officials has been strained, according to the source, leading to fears that Bryant would not be adequately protected.

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Bryant will play in Colorado tonight.

The Denver Nuggets expect a media turnout to rival their game against the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James. Coach Phil Jackson expects something “chaotic,” though the high-profile Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault has not planned a demonstration and security at the Pepsi Center will be at normal levels.

“Denver, I anticipate, will be chaotic,” Jackson said. “I just think there’s too much emotion, too much proximity.”

Bryant said he would approach it as any other road game.

“My expectations are always the same, just expect the worst,” he said. “I’m going to go in there tomorrow night ready to win the game. It’s a must-win for us. We’ve gotta get this thing done.”

While most speculation has a trial coming after the playoffs, motions hearings involving Bryant’s case could conflict with Laker games against the Indiana Pacers on Feb. 2, Atlanta Hawks on March 2 and Sacramento Kings on March 24.

Judge Terry Ruckriegle this week scheduled hearings, in addition to Jan. 23, for Feb. 2 and 3, March 1 and 2 and March 24 and 25.

Bryant has attended all of the previous hearings. His attorneys could petition the court to have Bryant excused from future hearings, leaving the decision to Ruckriegle.

“Just as long as it’s not a playoff game, that’s the ultimate thing,” Jackson said. “We can afford to have him miss games. I actually look forward to Kareem Rush being able to play in ballgames. He’s a young player I want to see play and want to see prove himself and improve as he goes through the season. He doesn’t have a tremendous amount of minutes out there on the floor to get that accomplished.”

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Shaquille O’Neal grimaced and tilted his head to the right on Tuesday night on his way from the Laker bus to the Laker locker room.

“No better,” he said. “And I’m getting tired of these ... knick-knack injuries.”

O’Neal, who has a strained calf, did not play against the Minnesota Timberwolves and is not expected to play tonight against the Nuggets. He has missed the last two games and four games overall because of the injury.

Though the Lakers will not hold a real practice on the trip and he will not play anyway, Karl Malone came along, in part, Jackson said, to set a rehabilitation example for O’Neal.

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Gary Payton’s layup early in the first quarter gave him 19,182 points in his career, passing former Laker Gail Goodrich for 36th on the all-time scoring list.