HOUSTON -- Kobe Bryant jokingly warned he'd immediately end his obligatory once-a-week interview session if it involved his rehab on his left Achilles tendon or when he'll return.
So he was asked about something more pleasant.
Has Bryant spoken to Dwight Howard recently?
"Have I spoken to him?" Bryant said. "We speak every day."
He obviously was sarcastic. Bryant and Howard haven't talked since he left the Lakers via free agency for the Houston Rockets during the off-season. Bryant also received treatment in the trainer's room instead of watching the Lakers play Houston on Wednesday at Toyota Center on the bench.
Even during Howard's lone season last year with the Lakers, his goofy personality and hope for a larger offensive role clashed with Bryant's demanding leadership style. But on Wednesday, Bryant praised Howard.
"It seems like they want to feature him even more," Bryant said of Houston. "It seems like they're posting him up even more. They sound very determined for him to have more of a breakout year offensively than he's had in the past, which I think is great. I think he'll have a great year.
"He was always very determined to be more of an offensive player. Here in Houston, he'll have an opportunity to do that. He always wants to compete to be one of the all-time greats, the Chamberlains, Shaqs and Olajuwons. This year should be the year where he's putting up those type of numbers."
Bryant still sounded amused Howard was greeted with boos this week when the Rockets visited the Clippers at Staples Center and described those fans as "undercover" Laker fans.
"The city of L.A. is like you can be a Laker fan or a Clipper fan," Bryant said. "But if you leave L.A., they take it personally."
When the Lakers host the Rockets on Feb. 19 at Staples Center, Bryant anticipates "a lot of energy in the building." Will he appear in that game?
"Hopefully," Bryant said. "I hope so, barring any major setbacks."
Bryant also confirmed his recent tweet that featured the hashtag "#blackout." referring to his on-court workouts that entail running, basketball drills, cardio exercises and weightlifting. Bryant sounded amused his hashtag, #bearhunt sparked speculation he would return Nov. 15 against Memphis.
"I thought it was well thought out and very witty," Bryant said.
Bryant offered no timeline on his return, let alone when he will participate in a practice. But he said he has spent the past week completing running drills, including sprints. He hasn't progressed yet toward making any lateral cuts.
"When you're sitting on your (tail) for so long, the hardest thing is the conditioning and getting back to playing at a high level," Bryant said. "Being able to run and play at a high level for 48 minutes is tough. You really got to push yourself conditioning wise to get in shape."
Also ...
Veteran guard Steve Nash said he's planning to sit out tonight in New Orleans as part of the season-long effort to rest him on the second night of back-to-back games.
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