Bryant Is Getting Most of Those Shots Within the Offense

When it has come to the Laker offense and assessing the shot distribution within it, there typically have been two undeniable indicators: Kobe Bryant’s scoring average and Shaquille O’Neal’s mood.

As of Tuesday evening, Bryant was the NBA’s scoring leader and O’Neal had refused to discuss it for a second time.

Coach Phil Jackson reiterated Tuesday that the offense would continue to flow through O’Neal, however, and Rick Fox appeared to speak for at least some of the team when he said Bryant’s numbers have come not because of forced shots, but from a better understanding of the offense.

“What’s interesting to me, to all of us, he’s scored in bigger numbers and played better within the offense,” Fox said. “On top of that, he’s creating opportunities for other people. Everything he’s been criticized for lately, he’s taken into account and still scored more.”

Combined, Bryant and O’Neal are scoring more than half of the Lakers’ points. Only Horace Grant, at 9.1 points a game, is even close to double figures. Fox shrugged.

“Let me put it this way, it’s better than it was,” Fox said. “He’s constantly adjusting his game.”

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Slava Medvedenko, on injured reserve, is playing so well in practice the Lakers are trying to find a way to squeeze him onto the active roster.

That could mean trading Greg Foster, who is averaging less than eight minutes a game.

The Lakers eventually have to make room as well for Derek Fisher, who is scheduled to begin running in the pool next week.

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Mike Penberthy, whose mother was born in Ontario, Canada, has been asked to play for the Canadian National team next summer.

Penberthy said he would like to become part of that program and eventually represent Canada in the next Olympic Games.

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The NBA continues to investigate Isaiah Rider’s threats to reporters last week. The league is leaning toward not punishing Rider, who issued something of an apology shortly after the incident and has been more agreeable since. . . . Jackson said Tuesday that he regrets not getting more playing time for Mark Madsen, who is playing about four minutes a game. The rookie is stuck behind Grant and Robert Horry in a rotation that does not extend much beyond that.

TONIGHT

at Golden State, 7:30

Channel 9

* Site--The Arena, Oakland.

* Radio--KLAC (570).

* Records--Lakers 14-5, Warriors 5-13.

* Record vs. Warriors--1-0

* Update--As if their talent issues weren’t enough, the Warriors have injury issues as well. Power forward Danny Fortson and center Adonal Foyle are on the injured list. Small forward Chris Mills has a sore right ankle, and guard Chris Mullin and center Erick Dampier have sore knees. At least Larry Hughes has taken advantage. He has averaged 22.3 points in his past three games. Antawn Jamison scored 51 points in Sunday’s loss at Seattle, the most since Purvis Short scored 59 in a 1984 game against New Jersey.