http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-heisler13may13,1,3918319.column?coll=la-headlines-sports

After a season in which Bryant has been at odds with O'Neal and the other players, who believed Kobe would leave, a source says Bryant is now talking privately about staying.

Not that anything Bryant thinks or says means anything before July 1, when he becomes a free agent. However, it's also the first suggestion of a thaw in the Lakers' long, excruciating season.

And whether it was coincidence or not, after Tuesday's Game 4, O'Neal began proclaiming Bryant as "the best player ever."

If this sounds familiar, it should. It's like the 2001 West finals — against the Spurs, who else? — when O'Neal called Bryant "my idol."

O'Neal said that after Bryant, then 22 and rising to new heights, led the Lakers to upset wins in Games 1 and 2 in the Alamodome, setting up their 4-0 sweep.

Everyone in the media room waited for the punch line until O'Neal said he wasn't kidding, heralding the end of their feud and beginning two years of peace (at least, between O'Neal and Bryant) before this season's revival of hostilities.

This contrasts with O'Neal's attitude two months ago when it was suggested that he might have a lot to do with Bryant's decision.

Suggesting yet again he didn't care whether Bryant left — or was hoping he would — O'Neal issued only a tepid statement of support with plenty of disclaimers (business was business, etc.) and didn't mention it again.

Of course, the Lakers' rally from 0-2 in this series amounted to a major turnaround for a team that seemed to be coming apart at the seams, but then, that's what they do.

Nevertheless, even they had never been in a fix like this.

They flew home from San Antonio last week amid rumbles that owner Jerry Buss was so upset, he would trade O'Neal if that was what it took to keep Bryant.

Buss had long since broken off talks for an extension with Coach Phil Jackson. A source says that was done in the hope of mollifying Bryant.

Jackson had asked for a stupendous salary, reportedly $12 million, twice his present $6 million. However, the two sides were close to agreement before Buss pulled back, reportedly because he had become aware that bringing Jackson back might cost him Bryant.

That was when the Lakers made their odd decision to announce talks with Jackson were off. Bryant, asked what effect a Jackson departure would have on his decision, replied, "I don't care."

Posted by fishmike:

To bad for the Hawks, Suns and other franchised that duped their fans into thinking that they actually had a chance to sign this guy.

Looks like Phil (hate him) is going to be the odd man out.

fish, these teams have been duping their fans for years, lets be real, what star wants to come to a losing franchise who's MO is "well there is always the lottery"..... Kobe was never comming to play for the hawks in the funeral home known as Phillips arena, and the suns are not close to being a playoff team either.... I hope he stays in LA... I hate to see teams trash their roster and then think a top flight FA will want to come there..

Dupped=Star PHucked.

Us knick fans never fall for that.

Phils big contract demand allows him to retire from Lakes with dignity.

Phil needs a new challenge. It take a real man to coach the Knicks! NOt a ready made superstar laden Lake show!

Phil's final masterpiece is to over see a rebuild of the Knicks. In the honor of Red Holzman he brings home the glory. Im buying into that BullCrap bigg time!

Talk about Star-PHuching! IM doing it myself!

AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

not in a 10000 years. Last thing Isiah wants is a personality bigger than his own. Besides I think the Knicks paying Phil crazy $$$ is just a waste of resources. Also Phil wont coach a team that doesnt have at least 2 HOFs.

I dont think there is any doubt

Isiah would be foolish to not take Phil Jackson as a coach, if he became available to us. I bet even James Dolan knows that. Even though we don't have a championship roster, it was bring more of this "Hope" to the fans, and would draw more money from tickets.

The thing is, I do we really think Phil wants to come to the Knicks? Unless he really wants to come back to his old team, I doubt it, unless he is really up for a new challenge.

I definitely see Aguire as being our next coach though. His name is mentioned even more than Lennys.