When Bryant joined the Lakers in camp, O'Neal told reporters Bryant should look to be more of a passer than a scorer until Bryant's knee was fully healed. Bryant responded that he knew how to play the guard position, and O'Neal should worry about the low post. O'Neal responded, "Just ask Karl and Gary why they came here. One person. Not two. One. Period." O'Neal agreed that Bryant could handle playing guard, but Bryant needed advice on how to play team ball. O'Neal added that he would voice his opinions as he saw fit because the Lakers were his team. He said that if Bryant--who was scheduled to become a free agent at season's end--didn't like what O'Neal had to say, Bryant should just opt out of his contract; O'Neal added, "I ain't going nowhere." Jackson told the team to not discuss the problem further with reporters.