NEW ORLEANS — The pregame conversation with Phil Jackson landed on the topic of the Olympics, and we know by now that he’s not real big on his players overexerting themselves elsewhere (All-Star Games, international play, snowboarding slopes, etc.).
“It’s a financial loss to these players and to these teams,” Jackson said of frequent international participation, although he said he was “OK with it, as long as it’s not like a three-year, two-months-every-summer activity.”
I asked Jackson about Bryant conceivably being limited for next Lakers training camp because of his planned hand surgery for September — after the Olympics.
“He can sit out all of the training camp,” Jackson said.
I laughed and said of Bryant: “He’s that old?”
“As far as I’m concerned, yeah. Players should get in shape and they should have a chance to play together, but for guys who have been in this league for a long period of time, training camp is a grueling process. And for coaches, it’s awful.”
The Lakers might be the showcase of the Olympic final in China if it’s USA (Bryant) vs. Spain (Pau Gasol).
