Of Bryant in particular, Jackson said: “I think he got tired out there, obviously. He played 42 minutes, and he hasn’t practiced at a high level of intensity but Monday. So I’m sure there is a little drop off, conditioning-wise.”

It’s impossible these days not to try and read into everything that comes out of Jackson’s mouth on the subject of Bryant. He could be innocently pointing out a tuckered-out player, or he could be taking shots at Bryant through the media for not committing himself completely to the team at all times.

The bizarre aspect to this whole uncomfortable relationship is that, if Bryant could just be patient and wait for Odom to return, he might see a team better than one that he could be traded to, given the restrictions of the teams he wants to go to. A club like Chicago, for instance, would have to rip up its roster and send three good players to L.A. to get Bryant, and the result would be a mutual spinning of the wheels.

The fans on Tuesday night seemed to share that sentiment, although they articulated it differently. Upon pre-game introductions, there was a mixture of boos and cheers, but the overall result was tepid. He was booed mildly a few times during the game, but also heard chants of his name from supporters while at the foul line (and he was there a lot: his 27 free-throw attempts marked a career high).

“I understand where they’re coming from,” Bryant said. “It was good to see them come back later in the game.”

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He laughed at himself over the fact that he also missed nine free throws. And he seemed like he looked forward to Odom coming back, which should be in the next two to three weeks. “That’s the goal, “he said. “We put out a great effort. Rad was out. Lamar is a huge key to this team. We just have to focus on our effort and intensity and try to sustain it until they get back.”

For a period in the third quarter, it appeared that the Lakers’ 2007-08 season would be a headache to everyone involved. In the end, the pain let up a bit. It might return again Friday in Phoenix, when a team gunning for an NBA title tries to remind Bryant of what a real contender looks like.

Yet if the Lakers can bottle that last 1:36 or so from Tuesday night and try to ration it until help arrives, Bryant might just find himself facing more basketball questions and fewer trade ones.

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