LAKERS NOTEBOOK: BOBCATS STAND IN WAY OF A 4-2 TRIP.

Byline: ROSS SILER Staff Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- After 10 seasons with the Lakers, Kobe Bryant has a theory about why he and his teammates are marked men whenever they walk into a visiting arena.

It's more than just the championship banners hanging back at Staples Center. In Bryant's opinion, it has something to do with the winter weather as well.

``When you play for the Lakers,'' Bryant said, ``you go on the road in January and December, you go to these cities and it's freezing. It's snowing. We live in L.A., so it's sunny all the time. So teams just automatically have it out for us.''

The good news is temperatures are expected in the 60s before tonight's game against the Charlotte Bobcats, a team the Lakers paid the price for overlooking last season. The Bobcats had lost 13games in a row last February before stunning the Lakers 112-102 at their downtown arena.

The Lakers gave up 40 points in the first quarter, trailed the entire game and were ``embarrassed'' in coach Phil Jackson words Thursday.

Although they are just 7-21, the Bobcats have beaten San Antonio, Detroit, Cleveland and Utah this season. They also are all that remains between the Lakers and a successful road trip while playing without the injured Lamar Odom.

``I think we understand the magnitude of this game,'' Bryant said. ``To be able to go 4-2 on this trip, when we're missing one of our key guys, would be a very successful trip if we can get this win.''

The Lakers almost never fail to see an opposing team's best effort, particularly playing on the road in the Eastern Conference. The Bobcats have sold out both home games against the Lakers in their existence.

``It's not a curse at all,'' Jackson said. ``It's a blessing that the games are animated, and they're lively and they're anticipated by the fans. I think that makes teams play harder. It gives us an advantage overall. It makes us have to be a better team all the way around.''

Spaced out: Jackson made a couple of teasing comments about forward Vladimir Radmanovic, who had a 17-point game against Minnesota on this trip but has left his coach scratching his head at other times.

Jackson called Radmanovic a ``space cadet'' and said he often asks: ``Do you understand really what we're trying to get accomplished here?'' when it comes to the triangle offense. Radmanovic answers yes, even when he doesn't fully grasp things.

``He's kind of a free spirit on the floor,'' Jackson added. ``You just can't get away from that aspect of his game. He's going to touch the ball and shoot it, and even though I tell him: `Those aren't usually good shots,' he still wants to know if he's hot.

``If he's not hot, he wants to get hot. If he's not going to get hot, then he wants to shoot so he can get hot.''

Injury report: Center Kwame Brown did not practice but is expected to play tonight after banging knees in Wednesday's game. ... Guard Sasha Vujacic sprained his left ankle at the end of practice and was helped off the court. ... Forward Luke Walton is suffering from discomfort in the back of his left knee. Walton sat out practice and said he wasn't sure how the injury happened.

``It's one of things that just kind of annoys but doesn't hurt,'' Walton said. ``This morning, I woke up ... it hurt.''

Kennel club: From the time they played together at Gonzaga, Lakers forward Ronny Turiaf and Charlotte's Adam Morrison are so beloved in Spokane, Wash., that Turiaf jokes about being the president of the city while Morrison is the mayor.

They will meet tonight for the first time in the NBA. Morrison is averaging 13.4 points and leading all rookies in scoring despite shooting 37.2 percent.

``He's such a good friend of mine, even though we play on opposite teams,'' Turiaf said. ``We spent three years playing together and have that special bond. It's going to be fun seeing him wear that different jersey.''

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- Ross Siler