Kobe Bryant Ends Media Boycott

By: Chris Sheridan, AP Basketball Writer (AP) Kobe Bryant took a brief break from his self-imposed media boycott Friday, giving an impromptu interview to The Associated Press in which he explained his extended silence with a short answer: "One thing, I am stubborn."

Bryant's comments, in which he reiterated that he'd prefer to play for the Lakers next season after opting out of his contract, were his first to a member of the print media in 12 days.

The league office -- including commissioner David Stern -- has been pressuring the Lakers to persuade Bryant to end his boycott, which violates the league's media access rules.

It was not known if Bryant planned to consent to further interviews before or after his team's first-round playoff game against the Houston Rockets on Friday night.

"I'm not going to talk about" specifics, Bryant said, referring to the boycott.

His silence began after Los Angeles media questioned whether he was sending a message to his teammates and coach Phil Jackson when he took only one shot in a late-season loss at Sacramento.

One unidentified player told the Los Angeles Times that the team might never forgive Bryant, who has been the subject of criticism during his career for his shot selection and freelancing on offense.

Bryant would not answer a follow-up question on his self-described stubbornness and proclivity to hold a grudge, and how those qualities have remained constants during his maturation from a teenage NBA rookie into an eight-year veteran.

"I'm not getting into that man, are you kidding me?" he said.

But Bryant did speak about his upcoming free agency, saying he believes fans in Los Angeles have developed a better understanding of why it makes financial sense for him to opt out of his contract.

"Things have been pretty calm, actually," Bryant said. "The team understands, I'm not worried about that, and I think the people have a better concept of why.

"I think if they understand the business side of it they'll have a firm grasp of it, too -- being able to stay with the Lakers longer if I do opt out, signing a longer extension."

Bryant will be eligible to sign a seven-year deal with the Lakers with 12.5% annual raises, with a starting salary equal to 30% of the salary cap. Other teams will only be able to offer a six-year contract with 10% annual raises.

Bryant was asked what the chances are that he'll return to the Lakers. "I don't know, I can't say 100%. This is the place I'd rather play."