Injured Kobe Bryant & Phil Jackson Eye Season Opener

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Leaning on a metal cane, Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson declared himself “pretty much pain free” Tuesday in his first public comments since undergoing right hip replacement surgery three weeks ago.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” he said after watching the Lakers scrimmage for season-ticket holders at Staples Center. “It’s good enough so I can go to practices and feel comfortable on the court.”

He plans to return to the bench for the season opener next Tuesday against Phoenix.

And he’d like to do so without the cane.

“I hope to throw it away next week,” he said.

Also on the mend is Kobe Bryant, who participated in his first full-court scrimmage Tuesday since offseason right knee surgery.

“It was good enough to get through practice,” he said. “We had a lot of breaks in between plays.”

Bryant said he should be ready for the season opener, but Jackson wasn’t so sure.

“He’s stalled out a little bit on his rehab and on coming back,” the coach said. “I really want him to be healthy when he comes back because a lot is asked of him and he plays heavy minutes. If things don’t go right, it could be a setback.”

Jackson confirmed that centers Kwame Brown (right shoulder) and Chris Mihm (offseason right ankle surgery) will miss at least the first two weeks of the season, making Andrew Bynum, who turns 18 Friday, the starter.

Toward the end of practice, Jackson sat on the bench, his hands leaning on the cane propped in front of him. Bryant was next to him, a huge bag of ice wrapped around his knee.

“He had his armor on today, which is the Lakers’ sweat suit,” Bryant said of Jackson. “He puts that on, it means it’s time for business.”

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