The simmering rivalry between Los Angeles Lakers duo Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal has boiled over again on the eve of the new NBA campaign.

With O'Neal insisting the Lakers are "his team" and advising Bryant to play for the team or "opt out", the new war of words has increased the likelihood of Bryant ending his eight-year association with the Lakers at the end of the season.

Over the last two years the pair seemed to have settled the differences that threatened Laker harmony between 2000 and 2001.

But O'Neal's comments at the end of last week -- that Bryant should look to pass more while he recovers his physical conditioning -- drew an icy response.

"I'm not changing my game whatsoever," Bryant, who debuted for the Lakers in 1996, was quoted as saying in the Los Angeles Times on Monday.

"I take good shots, hit the open man when he's there. I definitely don't need advice on how to play my game.

"I know how to play my guard spot. He (O'Neal) can worry about the low post. I'll worry about mine."

O'Neal countered by saying" "But he needs advice on how to play team ball. As we start this new season, (stuff's) got to be done right.

OPT OUT

"If you don't like it, then you can opt out next year. If it's going to be my team, I'll voice my opinion. If he don't like it, he can opt out.... I ain't going nowhere."

Of his claim that the Lakers were in his control, O'Neal added" "You (media) guys may give it to (Bryant) like you've given him everything else his whole lifetime, but this is the Diesel's ship.

"If you ain't right (physically), don't be trying to go out there and get right on our expense. Use the people out there, then when you get right you can do what you do."

O'Neal's comment about 'opting out' is a reference to Bryant's opportunity to opt out of his contract next year and become a free agent 12 months early.

Media reports say Bryant, whose season is also being overshadowed by the sexual assault charges facing him at a forthcoming trial, is likely to leave the Lakers.

Bryant, 25, has denied raping a 19-year-old woman.

Despite their rivalry, O'Neal and Bryant helped the Lakers win three NBA championships in a row from 2000 to 2002.

But they lost in the playoffs last season to eventual champions the San Antonio Spurs.

On Tuesday, the Lakers face the Dallas Mavericks in their first game of the 2003-04 season.

The acquisition of future Hall of Famers Gary Payton and Karl Malone has given coach Phil Jackson a 'dream team' of talent to choose from at the Staples Center but the hostility between O'Neal and Bryant has scuppered his best laid plans.

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