Kobe chatty on off day

April 7th, 2008, 4:23 pm · Post a Comment · posted by Curtis Zupke, Staff writer

A dreary, rainy afternoon didn’t leave the Lakers in much of a mood to discuss their recent woes in the Rose Garden, where they will attempt to break a five-game losing streak in the venue against Portland on Tuesday.Coach Phil Jackson playfully suggested the media write about something else.

But Kobe Bryant was considerably chatty on other topics when a small group of reporters met him after practice.

Bryant said he is in favor of the NBA seeding teams 1-16 for the playoffs, particularly given the disparity between the bunched Western Conference and the weaker Eastern Conference.

“It would make for a more exciting playoff matchup,” Bryant said. “You might have a team like Golden State, which is an exciting team to watch, out of the playoffs. Denver, with Carmelo Anthony and AI, out of the playoffs. They have very, very good records. You look at the East and some teams have, like, 30 wins and will be in the playoffs.

“I think the fans would enjoy it a lot more.”

Bryant was also asked about recent chatter that the NBA will raise the minimum age to 20. He said he doesn’t think the rule will necessarily hurt young players, but he would like them to retain that option of coming out.

“It’s a choice,” he said. “I think they should definitely have the options and have their choice if they want to do it on their own.”

“It should be up to the kids,” said Bryant, who went from high school to the NBA. “It should be the kids’ choice.”

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