Lakers, such as they are, start anew

First, the good news for the Los Angeles Lakers. Kobe Bryant is expected to answer the roll call when the squad gathers for the first time Monday to begin the 2007-08 season with its annual media day at the team's El Segundo facility before boarding an afternoon flight to Hawaii for the start of preseason training camp.

Now the bad news.

Kevin Garnett won't be there. Nor will Jermaine O'Neal. Nor will any other big-name addition to a team that struggled to reach the playoffs last year only to make a quick, first-round exit against the Phoenix Suns.

That early elimination triggered a lot of finger pointing and public outrage highlighted by Kobe Bryant's on-again, off-again demand to be traded, leaving a question whether Kobe Bryant would even put his uniform back on for this season. Kobe Bryant also criticized owner Jerry Buss and General Manager Mitch Kupchak and endorsed the idea of trading Andrew Bynum. Jim Buss, the owner's son and heir apparent for the reins of power, publicly rejected the idea of letting Kobe Bryant go and expressed his distaste for the motivational techniques of Coach Phil Jackson. Jackson responded by backing Kobe Bryant and leaving his own future with the team beyond this season up in the air.

Good thing they did all this in the off-season, because who would have time left to concentrate on games?

They all return Monday, having forged an uneasy truce, with egos humbled and expectations lowered. And although there are no big names joining them, there will be a couple of familiar old names to bolster them.

Derek Fisher returns to the Los Angeles Lakers' backcourt after a three-year absence to replace Smush Parker, who struggled on the court and as a benchwarmer when his playing time was drastically cut. Fisher spent eight years as a Laker before playing for the Golden State Warriors (two seasons) and the Utah Jazz (last season).

Center Chris Mihm returns to the frontcourt after sitting out all of last season following ankle surgery.

The Los Angeles Lakers hope he can fortify a position weakened by Kwame Brown's injuries and Andrew Bynum's inexperience and lack of aggressiveness.

The Los Angeles Lakers will spend two weeks in Hawaii, including exhibition games against the Warriors on Oct. 9 and 11. After returning to the mainland they play the Seattle SuperSonics on Oct. 18 in Bakersfield, play a mini-tournament Oct. 20-21 at Staples Center involving the Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns and Charlotte Bobcats, and then go back on the road to conclude the preseason against the Jazz (Oct. 23 in Anaheim, Oct. 25 in San Diego) and the Sacramento Kings (Oct. 26 in Las Vegas).

The Los Angeles Lakers begin the regular season Oct. 30 at home against the Houston Rockets, whether or not they are still speaking to each other by then.

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