It’s Hard to Get a Read on Kobe

It was strange to see Derek Fisher slap on a Golden State uniform in the tiny visitors’ locker room at Staples Center, down the hall from where he used to dwell.

More unusual was what took place in the Laker locker room before Thursday’s game: Kobe Bryant talked to the media.

Bryant eschewed the pregame media routine throughout last season, but he spoke, and reporters scribbled, before the Lakers’ exhibition against Golden State. On the day Phil Jackson’s tell-all book hit stores, Bryant dabbled in a variety of topics.

First and foremost, he stuck to last week’s promise that he would not read Jackson’s book, a diary of last season that paints Bryant as a controversial central figure. When asked if he slipped into a book store earlier in the day, Bryant answered with sarcasm and a smile.

“Yeah, I put on a costume and snuck in there and was reading in the corner,” he said. “Are you kidding?”

From there, the conversation moved to the Denver Nuggets’ off-season courtship of Bryant.

The Nuggets, in town to play the Clippers, finished third to the Lakers and Clippers in the Bryant free-agent sweepstakes, close enough in Bryant’s mind to compare Nugget General Manager Kiki Vandeweghe with Jerry West.

“They have a great organization over there,” he said. “It was great to hear how they take care of their players. What Kiki’s been able to do so quickly, that’s Jerry Westian.”

As always, there were questions about Shaquille O’Neal.

O’Neal has fired away at Bryant from Miami, and Bryant has maintained a high ground of sorts, refusing to engage in a cross-country battle of insults. He hinted it would be a while longer before he publicly considered O’Neal. “I’ll do it when [he] gets here, Dec. 24 or whatever,” Bryant said.

When reminded the Lakers play Miami on Dec. 25, Bryant clarified his position.

“You [media people] have got to start rapidly firing out questions on the 24th,” he said.

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Bryant had 35 points in 44 minutes but missed a three-pointer at the buzzer as the Lakers lost to Golden State, 90-88, in overtime. Brian Cook had 14 points.... Fisher, who signed with Golden State after eight seasons with the Lakers, looked around the visitors’ quarters underneath Staples Center and offered, “I guess I could get used to it ... it’s real tight and cozy over here.” Fisher finished with seven points against the Lakers.... Vlade Divac will probably not be ready for the Nov. 2 season opener against the Nuggets, a team spokesman said. Divac has not practiced yet because of a herniated disk in his back. Chris Mihm would start in Divac’s place.... Karl Malone sat courtside with his son, across from the Laker bench. Malone is still recovering from off-season knee surgery and has not decided whether to retire or return to the Lakers.