D.C. Fans Waiting for Brown

There’s still one rivalry left in the aftermath of Shaquille O’Neal versus Kobe Bryant, and even Gary Payton versus Lamar Odom.

Kwame Brown versus Washington, D.C.

Brown returns today to the city that booed him and lampooned him after he failed to live up to expectations as the top pick in the 2001 draft.

Brown and the Wizards were a mismatch from the start: He was continually criticized by then-teammate Michael Jordan, looked bewildered during games and ultimately lost his confidence. He averaged only 7.7 points and 5.5 rebounds in four years and was booed toward the end of last season.

Wizard fans are awaiting his return, which won’t be a quiet one.

“They’re going to boo harder,” he said. “I ain’t tripping. We beat them in L.A., now we’ve got to take care of business in D.C.”

Brown, averaging 5.9 points and 5.9 rebounds, had six points and nine rebounds in the Lakers’ 97-91 victory over the Wizards on Dec. 16.

His Wizard career all but ended when he almost fought with All-Star guard Gilbert Arenas during the playoffs, when Arenas told Coach Eddie Jordan not to insert Brown into a game, according to Brown. He skipped practice the next day because he thought he would punch Arenas and was suspended by the Wizards for the rest of the playoffs.

Three months later, he was sent to the Lakers along with Laron Profit for Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins.

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Rookie center Andrew Bynum never made it on the court against O’Neal, eliminating one of the plot lines in Sunday’s 97-92 Laker loss to Miami.

Bynum irritated O’Neal on draft day by inviting comparisons to him, with one exception -- he made his free throws. O’Neal responded by referring to Bynum as a “juvenile delinquent” because he had not earned a college degree. Bynum entered the draft out of Metuchen (N.J.) St. Joseph.

Before the game, Jackson said he hoped to get Bynum playing time but could not guarantee it.

“It would probably have to be a first-half opportunity when there’s still an opportunity to recover from anything that might happen out there,” Jackson said, smiling. “I’d prefer him go against Shaquille [rather] than Alonzo [Mourning]. He doesn’t need a knot on his forehead.”

Bynum, who has played in only one of the Lakers’ last five games, is averaging 1.2 points and 1.7 rebounds in 19 games.

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Bryant surprised players from four Miami-area high schools, appearing at one of the schools on Christmas Eve and talking for 90 minutes about NBA life on and off the court. Afterward, he donated new shoes to all the players, who did not know Bryant would be the centerpiece for their seminar on balancing athletics with real-life issues.

“Today, we gave these kids our best Christmas gift,” organizer Wesley Frater told the Miami Herald. “Mr. Bryant gave two hours of himself to these kids. It’s most admirable of him.”

TONIGHT

at Washington, 4 PST (delay, 5:30 , Ch. 9)

Site -- MCI Center.

Radio -- 570, 1330.

Records -- Lakers 15-12, Wizards 11-14.

Record vs. Wizards -- 1-0.

Update -- Bryant had 41 points in the Lakers’ 97-91 victory over the Wizards Dec. 16 at Staples Center.