Anything Is Better Than Silent Treatment

The Laker locker room could be thawing.

According to one player, Kobe Bryant shouted, “See you tomorrow, fellas!� on his way out the door Thursday afternoon, which is better than the dull silence they’d been getting from Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal lately.

These are not particularly cheery days around the Lakers, not after their leaders began casting blame, causing the veteran role players to go just as public in order to defend themselves. Not since O’Neal and Bryant were taking swats at each other two years ago have Laker practice days teemed with such intrigue.

Brian Shaw, who at 36 is too old and has been around too long to take such abuse, said Thursday he had a deal for the Laker superstars.

“The other 11 guys, we’re getting our 30 points a game,� Shaw said. “It’s up to them to get their 70.�

Actually, Shaw said, laughing, it’s not as grim as when Bryant froze them all out about a month ago.

“They’re just quiet, reserved,� he said. “You know when Shaq’s quiet and reserved, something’s wrong.�

Forty-five minutes after, O’Neal strolled past reporters in an emptying parking lot and was dismissive again.

“Don’t wait for me after practice,� he said. “I ain’t got nothing to say.�

Said Shaw: “I guess we’re just like you; we’re on the outs with them too.�

Many around the Lakers assume harmony will return with victory, and that the sudden character flaws are little more than human nature, absorbed easily by a good week or two.

“I don’t think it’s a team divided,� Shaw said. “I think it’s a team frustrated.�

*

Horace Grant left Orlando on Wednesday bound for Los Angeles, where he was expected to meet today with ... his fiancee’s mother.

It’s her birthday.

Grant, released Wednesday by the Magic, told the Orlando Sentinel on Thursday that he expected to hear from Laker General Manager Mitch Kupchak, but that he also fully expected to retire.

Grant, 37, had left knee surgery in September and played in five games in his second stint with the Magic. He averaged 5.2 points and 1.6 rebounds.

Phil Jackson, who coached Grant in Chicago and Los Angeles, wavered on the subject of adding Grant to back up O’Neal, but in the end said, “What aren’t you supposed to do to a gift horse?�

That would be a gift Horace.

“At this time we’re not going to discount anything,� Kupchak said.

If the Lakers were to sign him, it would be for the veterans’ minimum of $1 million, prorated for his time with the club.

*

TONIGHT

vs. New Orleans

7:30, Fox Sports Net, ESPN

Site -- Staples Center

Radio -- KLAC (570), KWKW (1330)

Records -- Lakers 9-14, Hornets 16-7.

Record vs. Hornets (2001-02) -- 2-0.

Update -- The Lakers haven’t lost a home game to the Hornets in nearly five years. Samaki Walker probably will start at power forward. Despite a serious back ailment, Baron Davis averaged 17.6 points and 7.8 assists going into Thursday night’s game in Utah. The Hornets’ 12-day trip: at Utah, Lakers, Sacramento, Portland, Golden State, Seattle, San Antonio.