Lin, Boozer want to play with Kobe

LeBron James decided he would rather be in northeast Ohio than Los Angeles. Carmelo Anthony opted to stay in New York rather than head west.

But there are players who want to play with Kobe Bryant.

Carlos Boozer had been Bryant’s teammate in 2008 when they were winning gold for Team USA at the Beijing Olympics. Jeremy Lin saw it as an opportunity to get better as a player. Both are looking forward to the opportunity to blend their talents with the 36-year-old Bryant when the Los Angeles Lakers open the season Tuesday against Lin’s former team, the Houston Rockets, at the Staples Center.

“He’s one of the all-time greats, arguably the best ever,” said Lin, the 6-foot-3-inch guard the Lakers acquired via trade this summer. “Anytime you get a chance to play with someone like that, you want to soak up and learn as much as you can.

“When you’re playing with guys who are so gifted, you learn to pick your spots a little and be more efficient. You have to learn to play alongside him and compliment him, instead of being the guy who is making the plays.”

Boozer was acquired from Chicago on waivers after the Bulls used their amnesty slot on the 6-foot-9-inch veteran forward. He said he is glad to be Bryant’s teammate once again.

“Kobe was a great teammate at the Olympics,” Boozer said. “He’s a winner and he does what it takes to win.

“He’s a mega-superstar who has won every accolade. It’s not an accident he is who he is. He works his butt off to be the player he is. He pushes you and he pushes himself even harder. He sees winning, which is what we’re out here for.”

The Lakers wrapped up their preseason Friday, falling to the Sacramento Kings, 93-92 in front of 10,890 at the MGM Grand Garden as Ray McCallum’s put-back of Reggie Evans’ airball just beat the buzzer. Neither Bryant nor Boozer played. Lin came off the bench, scoring a team-high 19 points and dishing out seven assists in 32 minutes as the Lakers went 3-5 for the preseason.

The Kings, led by DeMarcus Cousins’ 21 points, finished preseason play 3-4.

Lin expects his role to increase with Steve Nash out for the season and possibly for good with ongoing back issues.

“I feel terrible for Steve,” Lin said. “He’s a good friend and a true professional, and to see him go out that way, it’s tough. But you never know how many minutes you’re going to get. I just want to come in and be a playmaker.”

Boozer was looking forward to playing alongside Nash and was sad to hear the news Thursday.

“I texted him (Friday) and said, ‘Man, I’m sorry to see what you’re going through,’ and I’m praying for him,” Boozer said.

Lin said Bryant has been very supportive of him since he joined the Lakers.

“He told me to stay aggressive, make plays and be myself.”

Lin said he wasn’t aware of recent firestorms created by ESPN rating Bryant the 40th-best player in the NBA and an article in ESPN The Magazine which ripped Bryant and laid the blame for the Lakers’ recent misfortune at his feet.

“I’m very out of touch with all that in the social media world,” Lin said. “I wasn’t aware of it.”

Bryant said he was glad to have Lin and Boozer on his side.

“They’re excellent proven players,” Bryant said. “Carlos came to camp in great shape, and he looks like the Boozer of old. Jeremy is quicker than I thought and he has a great feel for the game and where to get you the ball. I think they’re going to be very important to us, because we’re going to need their experience as well as their skill.”

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.