BRYANT: `THIS IS MY TEAM' GUARD SAYS HE'LL TAKE ON GREATER LEADERSHIP ROLE.

Byline: Ross Siler Staff Writer

EL SEGUNDO - Even the choice of spot for Kobe Bryant to stand and face reporters Monday at the Lakers' annual media day seemed strangely symbolic.

With new teammates filling every corner of the gym - and Shaquille O'Neal's conspicuous absence - Bryant planted his feet directly at center court of the HealthSouth Training Center hardwood, the man in the middle of all things Lakers.

``This is my team to lead,'' Bryant said. ``In the past, I've done leadership but my leadership has been more in the background. Which was fine. Shaq was the focal point of the team. Me, I just kind of went about leading in a different way.

``Now it's different, it's different. Guys are looking to me for leadership. So it's important that I establish what type of team we're going to be.''

Bryant met with the media for the first time since the sexual-assault case against him in Colorado was dismissed Sept. 1. He shifted his weight from leg to leg as he spoke and stayed on the periphery of that and other off-the-court issues.

Chief among them was Bryant's relationship with O'Neal, which took a further hit with the disclosure last week that Bryant told Eagle, Colo., investigators that O'Neal paid off women with money or cars to keep them quiet.

O'Neal fired back, calling Bryant a ``clown'' and a ``joke'' during a session with South Florida reporters. Bryant tried his best to mute the topic Monday.

``I'm not verbal sparring at all,'' Bryant said. ``Things are what they are. My focus is this team and just moving on. (O'Neal and I) had eight good years together. We moved on our separate ways. I wish him all the best and I'm here just trying to do the best I can.''

Bryant later added: ``I know what you guys are looking for. But you know what, I really don't have much to say. We'll talk about it. ... When the Miami Heat come to town to play the Lakers, then that's what I'll talk about. But as far as me, I've moved on.''

He additionally said he and O'Neal always would be part of a ``family'' because they both were Lakers. But Bryant noted: ``This is the new Laker family right now. This is the immediate family.''

The comments came exactly a year to the day after Bryant arrived in Honolulu for training camp in the wake of being charged with rape. He told reporters at the time that he was ``terrified'' both for himself and his wife and daughter.

Asked Monday if his life felt more settled, Bryant said, ``Yeah it is. It'll never be completely steady. But whose life is?''

After signing a seven-year, $136.4 million contract in July, Bryant looked every bit in control as the Lakers reported for training camp. He has been working out with teammates for the better part of a month, calling every one of them personally.

``I said, `If you guys want to come down to L.A., come on down,' '' Bryant said. `But don't come down for the weather. You can expect to work hard.' ''

While Bryant taped promos for the Lakers' radio and television partners Monday, his new teammates offered words of praise for him. If Bryant's reputation across the league was damaged by his statement to detectives about O'Neal, it wasn't easily apparent.

``It's awesome,'' Lamar Odom said. ``Working out with Kobe Bryant is every guy in the NBA's dream. ... I've known Kobe since he was 16. He's a good person.''

Vlade Divac added: ``Kobe's attitude reminds me of Magic. Magic used to do that same thing, calling the guys, making sure they're all on the same page. ... He looks great. I used to block his shot. Now I can't.''

Bryant weighed in at 230 pounds for the start of the season, noticeably thicker through the neck and shoulders. It helped that the Lakers' new strength and conditioning coach is Joe Carbone, Bryant's personal trainer since high school.

``He's going to have more power and more strength and be as fast as anybody on the court,'' Carbone said.

Ross Siler, [phone]

ross.siler(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) Kobe Bryant on Monday downplayed his rivalry with former Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal, saying they had ``eight good years together.''

(2) Lakers center Vlade Divac, who is back after playing for six years with Sacramento, said he's happy to be Kobe Bryant's teammate.

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer

Box:

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