LAKERS NOTEBOOK: EXCITEMENT AT START FOR KOBE.

Byline: Elliott Teaford Staff Writer

A radio personality whispered in his ear for a few uncomfortable minutes, but otherwise it seemed like just another lead-up to just another game for Kobe Bryant on Tuesday night at Staples Center.

Bryant emerged from the Lakers' training room, grabbed a pair of high-tops from his locker stall and stopped to chat with reporters for a few moments.

"It's always exciting," Bryant said before he and the Lakers opened their 12th and perhaps final season together against the Houston Rockets. "It's as close to a playoff atmosphere as you're going to get during the regular season because of the buzz that's around."

Someone asked if this season's opener had a different vibe, what with his stated desire to be traded and the Lakers' willingness tAo listen to offers. No deal is imminent, mainly because the Lakers and Chicago Bulls can't agree on a trade.

"No, no, not really," Bryant said of comparing this opener to past ones.

Someone else wondered if he was pleased the season was at hand.

"I just enjoy playing so much that it's always good to have the season come back," said Bryant, who moved from the playmaker's role to scorer Tuesday. "Back in my comfort zone, back in that kind of striking position."

Did he expect it to be more emotional than past openers?

"No, not really," he said.

Bryant said his sprained right wrist was, "OK," and didn't trouble him on his shot. He injured a tendon during an exhibition game Oct. 23 against the Utah Jazz and did not play in the Lakers' final preseason game Friday against the Sacramento Kings.

"I've just got to keep moving it around during dead-ball situations during the game," he said. "When it get stiffens up that's the hardest part. Once it loosens up, it should be all right, unless I get hit on it or something it should be OK."

Bryant laughed when asked who might win a one-on-one battle between him and Yao Ming, the Houston Rockets' 7-foot-6 center.

"I would kick his (tail)," the 6-6 Bryant said as reporters laughed along with him.

Odom sits out opener

As expected, forward Lamar Odom did not play in the Lakers' season opener Tuesday against the Houston Rockets. He said he might need another week or two before his surgically repaired left shoulder is sound enough for him to play in a game, which means he could miss up to eight games.

"There's no frustration," he said. "It is what it is. I have to wait until my body allows me to feel good. I don't know, maybe it will be another week or two."

This isn't the first time in his career that Odom has had to deal with a prolonged absence. He missed 11 months with serious wrist and ankle injuries while with the Clippers during the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons.

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