Although Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant has appeared to have a love-hate relationship with his team's ownership for the majority of the last sixth months, the trade-me, don't-trade-me drama appears to have settled down.

But before the former Lower Merion High School star took the court against the Sixers on Friday night, the question had to be asked: Has Bryant ever given thought to playing for the Sixers?

"Sure, sure -- absolutely," Bryant said. "When I was coming out of high school, that's all I thought about doing was playing here."

"Back then the big deal for me was being able to get up in the morning, get up at my parents house, go to shoot-around, come back and do my homework and then go play the game. That was awesome to me. So yeah, I've thought about that."

Although the Sixers will have salary cap flexibility this summer, Bryant most likely won't be on their radar. He can't opt out of his contract with the Lakers until after the 2008-09 season.