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Bryant questionable for Lakers' opener

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant did not practice Monday, and it's uncertain whether he will play in Tuesday's regular-season opener against the Dallas Mavericks, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Bryant has not played or practiced since he suffered a strained right foot in an Oct. 21 preseason game.

Bryant did not speak to reporters Monday, and opinions within the team were divided as to whether they expected Bryant to play Tuesday, the Times reported.

"If there is one guy that is capable of sitting out (practice) and playing a game, it's Kobe," Lakers coach Mike Brown told the Times. "He's extremely intelligent and he's been around the block. Him sitting might be better than him being out there every day getting banged up in practice.

"He's watching what's going on in practice. He'll start coaching from the training table. He may coach an individual or he may have something that may help the team.

"Right now I just look at him as an assistant coach. He may not like to hear that because he doesn't want to take a big pay cut, but he's been in tune, involved with practice every day."

Jodie Meeks took Bryant's spot with the first team at Monday's practice.