Jackson and Bryant put on united front
(BBC)
Updated: 2005-10-14 09:24

Coach Phil Jackson and star Kobe Bryant seem to have put their bitter feud aside ahead of the new NBA season.

The Lakers won their opening warm-up game 101-93 against Golden State, with Bryant top-scoring with 28 points.

Jackson who was fiercely critical of Bryant in a book he wrote after leaving the team in 2004, said: "He's just a very determined, dedicated player."

Bryant said after the win: "It's Phil's system, and when everything's clicking, it's a beautiful thing to watch."

Jackson was coaching in his first game since 15 June, 2004, when the Lakers were beaten by Detroit in the NBA Finals.

Three days later, Lakers owner Jerry Buss told Jackson - who took the team to three NBA titles from 2000-02 - that his services were no longer required.

But the Jackson, who also won six crowns with the Chicago Bulls, was re-hired last June after one of the most miserable seasons in franchise history.