Little Lakers No Match for Suddenly Tough Suns

The Lakers were caught with their insides looking out Saturday night against the Phoenix Suns at Veterans’ Memorial Coliseum.

With Kareem Abdul-Jabbar deciding to sit this one out at the last minute because of a slight shoulder injury, the Lakers were without an inside game to speak of. James Worthy and Mitch Kupchak didn’t even make the trip. And that was all the Suns needed to lead from beginning to end in a 123-106 victory before 14,013 fans.

Phoenix thereby ended the Lakers’ 10-game winning streak over the Suns, which had extended through two seasons. “I found out one thing, how it is to play with my ultimate team--five 6-9 guys,” Laker Coach Pat Riley said.

“It would have taken a perfect game for us to win, (but) health is of the utmost concern to this team right now.”

Abdul-Jabbar, the 7-2 center whose presence--or lack of it--changes a game’s complexion, said he strained his shoulder in the third quarter of Friday night’s 115-103 victory over the Suns at the Forum, and it continued to bother him Saturday.

After being checked by Dr. Robert Kerlan, Abdul-Jabbar decided not to play, and as a result did not start for the first time this season. Abdul-Jabbar said he would be examined again Monday by Kerlan and would wait for the outcome before deciding when he will return.

“It’s not real serious,” he said. “But it didn’t seem to make sense to go out and risk further injury against the Suns. If I really hurt it, then everyone would regret it.”

What the Lakers regret, their opponents relish. Phoenix Coach John MacLeod said he didn’t know Abdul-Jabbar would not play until game time. Surprise, surprise.

When Abdul-Jabbar walked onto the court looking as if he was ready to go shopping on Rodeo Drive rather than ready to go stopping the Sun offense, MacLeod quickly changed his team’s strategy.

Without a serious Laker threat in the middle, Phoenix decided to pressure the Laker guards in an attempt to destroy their flow. It worked well. The Suns raced to a 38-21 first-quarter lead, and just kept right on going.

Finding layups were a premium, the Suns turned Los Angeles inside out behind the play of 6-10 forward Larry Nance (22 points) and 6-6 guard Walter Davis (24 points).

With the Lakers starting Byron Scott, Michael Cooper, Kurt Rambis, Maurice Lucas and Magic Johnson, they had a team out of position. And out of luck. That first quarter, Riley admitted, was just awful.

“But I don’t think we played a bad game the rest of the way,” Riley said. “When you go five or six years with a low-post offense, you can’t change your emphasis overnight.” What it came down to was a simple testament to Abdul-Jabbar’s ability.

Said Rambis: “There is no doubt we miss him. He’s a stability force.” And from Johnson: “Of course I felt the burden with our big men out. The weight of the team was on my shoulders. It was a new experience for us out there. I wasn’t into my game; it was kind of disappointing.”

The Lakers played as if they were on another wave length for most of the game. And in some respects, they were. Los Angeles is 6-5 in its last 11 games, playing roller-coaster basketball.

One night they are clicking, the next they are clucking. Is this a midseason crisis? Riley didn’t sound concerned. He said the team’s best basketball is ahead, but someone had better tell the players to get interested.

“We’re trying to keep a positive attitude,” Rambis said.

After dominating the Suns throughout the season, it is little surprise that they let down Saturday night.

“This (the Lakers) is the best team in the NBA,” MacLeod said. “It was an impressive win for us, but they’re still the best.”

Laker Notes It was that kind of night: In spite of a depleted lineup, the Lakers had six men on the floor when Kurt Rambis entered the game for A.C. Green. Green thought Rambis was substituting for another player. The Lakers, however, didn’t get called for it. . . . After spending most of the season living out of the Airport Park Hotel in Inglewood, Green finally has found an apartment in Los Angeles. “Hey, I didn’t like staying in the hotel that long,” he said. “I just couldn’t find an apartment I liked.” . . . The Lakers weren’t the only team with injured big men. The Suns were missing 7-1 James Edwards. “We’ve had a makeshift lineup all season,” MacLeod said. “If we had all our players together this season, we’d be a good team.”