Kobe, Lakers too much for Sonics in exhibition, 126-106

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Kobe Bryant returned to the lineup and scored 20 points, 16 in the third quarter, to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 126-106 victory over the Seattle SuperSonics on Thursday night.

Bryant sat out the second and fourth quarters, but scored 12 straight for the Lakers in the third. He seemed to play to the pro-Lakers crowd, hitting a jumper with fans chanting "Kobe! Kobe!"

The Sonics had cut the Lakers' lead to five before Bryant's run, but after he dunked an alley-oop from Ronny Turiaf, Los Angeles was ahead 79-64.

Turiaf scored all of his 13 points in the first quarter for the Lakers, while Andrew Bynum added 19 for the Lakers, who led 64-47 at the half.

Rookie Kevin Durant finished with 18 points and Chris Wilcox added 16. Seattle center Robert Swift returned to his hometown and scored seven points.

Bryant appeared upbeat when he spoke to reporters before the game. He had mostly ignored the media since Lakers owner Jerry Buss stated last week that he "would certainly listen" to trade offers for the two-time defending NBA scoring champion.

When asked about his recent silent treatment, Bryant said: "Why would I need to bang my head against a wall?"

He missed some practice this week because of a sore knee, then said in his first formal interview since Buss' statement that it caught him off guard.

He repeated again on Thursday his desire to not discuss the matter.

"When I'm here, wherever I'm at, I'm ready to go," Bryant said. "It's not my job to worry about what management is doing at this point. I voiced my frustrations over the summer and I'll just leave it there."

Bryant asked to be traded 41/2 months ago, then avoided speaking about the Lakers until the beginning of training camp Oct. 1, when he talked more positively, saying he was looking forward to the season.

It seemed the parties had put negative feelings behind them before Buss made his comments to three beat writers last week.