While the Red Sox may dislike being mentioned with their main rivals, they have become more like the Yankees than the Yankees, who have not won a title in seven years. The Red Sox recorded World Series sweeps twice in a four-year span, making them the first team to do that since the Yankees in 1998 and 1999. The A.L. has won 7 of the last 10 World Series, including five with sweeps.

"Right now, the American League seems to be a little bit better," said John Henry, the Red Sox' principal owner.

When the Red Sox were down, three games to none, to the Yankees in the A.L. Championship Series three years ago, they were one loss from extending an 86-year title drought. But after the Red Sox' comeback against the Yankees led to an elusive championship, they are no longer burdened by those doubts. Instead, the Red Sox are an organization to be envied: they have talent, money and intelligence.

"One thing I said in training camp was I didn't want this to be a distraction," Bryant said. "That's why it was all our understanding to kind of not bring up the situation and not talk about it."

Bryant resumed practicing with the Lakers Wednesday, but slipped away from reporters. A day after admitting he didn't know if Bryant would even travel with the team for Thursday night's preseason game against Seattle in Bakersfield, Calif., coach Phil Jackson said Kobe probably would play.

This after Jackson wouldn't even hazard a guess Tuesday as to whether Bryant had played his last game as a Laker.

"There's certain things that need to be discussed and will be, and we'll move forward from there," said Jackson, who admitted feeling "no emotion" and "a matter-of-factness" about the latest staredown between Bryant and Buss.