Triple Post Used to Sharpen Defense

The Chicago Bulls made it popular. The Phoenix Suns and Detroit Pistons will be running it some this season. The Dallas Mavericks haven’t used it yet, but may eventually, considering their new coach, Jim Cleamons, just came from Chicago.

And now the Lakers are using the triple post offense. Sort of.

They’re using it, or at least a slight variation, but only in practices and only for the benefit of the defense.

“So it won’t just be a total shock when we go against it,” Coach Del Harris said.

Like, say, in mid-June, just in case the Lakers happen to be playing then, and just in case they happen to be in Chicago?

“We can’t think about that right now,” Harris said. “If, indeed, it turns out that there’s a Lakers-Bulls series, then it will have been an advantage to us, using it now. But we don’t want to get way ahead of ourselves.”

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The Lakers made their first cuts Monday, waiving Juaquin Hawkins and David Booth to reduce the roster to 14 players.

Teams from the Continental Basketball Assn. and Europe had been keeping in touch with Hawkins through his agent since the start of training camp, so the rookie from Cal State Long Beach will have options. Booth played in France and Italy the last two seasons.

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Jerome Kersey, out the last two games because of a bruised foot, returned to practice and should play tonight when the 5-0 Lakers play the Houston Rockets in San Diego.

Kobe Bryant said he is feeling better after sitting out Saturday’s game because of a hip strain and sore back, but he did not practice. A decision on his availability will be made today.

The game, the start of a three-game trip, is a sellout at the San Diego Sports Arena.