Kobe Bryant was as shocked about Karl Malone's reaction to his comments as Malone was shocked that the comments were made.  Bryant believes that they were grossly misinterpreted.

"If I felt like he was a distraction, I would have said it,' Bryant said. "But I didn't say anything like, 'I don't want him to come back' or 'He's a distraction.' I didn't say anything like that.

"It was in no way intended to be an attack toward Karl or anything like that. I just want to make sure that my players know that I believe in them and I believe in what we have.

"So if Karl comes back, it's going to be a tremendous addition to our ballclub. But if he doesn't, I'm fine with rolling with the guys that we have here because I have confidence in them, too."

"Everything can be smoothed out if all parties want to smooth it out,' said Mitch Kupchak, who reserved a roster spot for Malone throughout the summer.