McCloud Starts, but It May Be Temporary

Coach Del Harris made George McCloud the starting small forward Tuesday, a new lineup that could either stick for the next month until Robert Horry or Shaquille O’Neal return or become just a temporary thing.

“I don’t know,” Harris said. “I may do anything. That’s my style. I’m unpredictable.”

Not that any Laker needs to be reminded.

Harris had planned to move Eddie Jones between shooting guard and small forward, depending on the matchups, after Horry suffered a sprained knee ligament. Jones ended up on the frontcourt only once, the first game against Cleveland, with Jerome Kersey taking over at forward for the six games that followed.

Then Tuesday, McCloud replaced Kersey.

“I can come off the bench or start and do the same thing,” McCloud said. “Right now, I just have to go out and play and not think too much. Right now, I’m thinking too much about not messing up.”

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Jones, forced from Sunday’s game at Indiana twice in the fourth quarter because of back spasms and then held out of practice Monday to give the injury some extra rest, played 29 minutes. He made only four of 11 shots, but had four steals.

“I appreciate Eddie Jones coming in and playing hurt,” Harris said.

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Larry Krystkowiak’s 10-day contract expires today. The Lakers can either give him another one, sign him for the rest of the season, or let him go.

Harris said Tuesday night that no decision had been made. Krystkowiak has played in one of a possible five games, logging two minutes against the Pacers.