Kobe Bryant Scheduled To Report To L.A. Lakers’ Training Camp

The Orange County Register reports on Kobe Bryant’s status with the Lakers:

"We have no reason to believe that he won’t be there," Lakers spokesman John Black said.

Bryant has steered clear of the Lakers’ workout facility in El Segundo in recent months, spending considerable time out of town first with USA Basketball in Las Vegas and then on a promotional tour of Asia.

He has scheduled a time to show up for his Lakers pre-camp physical examination, however, furthering belief from the organization that Bryant will maintain a professional approach to start the season. The Lakers are set to gather Oct. 1 for a 1 p.m. team flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu, where they will train through Oct. 11.

My Quick Take: The Lakers have been hoping that Bryant will report to training camp. Chances are he’ll appear in Hawaii as scheduled, but nothing with Bryant is simple. Like I have said for the last two months, it has been far too quiet in Staples Center and something has to give.

The Lakers, despite Bryant’s pleas for help, have failed to upgrade his supporting cast. They are wasting his talent. And they are wrong to think free agents will automatically flock to Los Angeles because of their storied history and the glamour of Hollywood.

The Lakers, despite Bryant’s pleas for help, have also failed to upgrade the front office. Do I sound like a broken record, here? The purple-and-gold have stuck with GM Mitch Kupchak even though he’s been publicly undermined by Bryant.

Phil Jackson represents the final straw. The Zen-Master, Bryant’s former foe turned ally, is in the final year of his contract. If Jackson walks, then Bryant will have his strongest reason to quit the Lakers. The star can cite his long-time relationship with Jackson. And he can blame the Lakers for once again failing to secure top personnel.

For a so-called Buddhist, Jackson has put himself in a powerful position and has played the politics of the team’s front office perfectly.

Will Bryant report to L.A.’s training camp? How much power does Jackson actually have? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts.

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