Kobe Bryant eager to increase training, proud of Pau Gasol for rant

NEW YORK -- Kobe Bryant has played only six games this season. He’s well aware of it.

He’s eager to increase his workout regimen back in Los Angeles this week after the Lakers’ seven-game trip comes to a close.

“I’ll finally do more things than just riding a bike,� he said Sunday. “That’s killing me. Absolutely killing me.�

Bryant hasn’t played since sustaining a fractured knee Dec. 17 in Memphis. He had only recently returned after missing 19 games while recovering from a torn Achilles’ tendon.

Before he curbs his bike work, he needs to get doctors’ clearance. And the Lakers need to get out of frigid New York City, where they played the Knicks on Sunday.

Bryant already has his schedule sorted out when the Lakers return to sunny California.

“I’ll throw on some shorts, I’ll throw on a T-shirt and I’ll walk outside, for one. Then I’ll go to the doctor and get my check-up and go from there,� he said.

Meanwhile, he’s had to watch the Lakers (16-28) continue to struggle on the court, losing 15 of 18 before Sunday’s game.

He seemed to enjoy Pau Gasol’s postgame rant after the Lakers lost to the woeful Orlando Magic on Friday. Gasol lit into teammates and hurled his basketball shoes in the locker room that night.

“That was the most irritated I’ve seen Pau in a long, long time,� Bryant said. “I haven’t really seen him come in and have a tantrum in the locker room, which is good. It’s something that needs to be done.

“It can’t be something where we’re losing and it becomes accepted. Or the whole ‘We gave it a good effort’ sort of thing. We don’t do that around here. That’s not what it’s about. It’s not about giving good effort. It’s about winning championships.�

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