Harris Hits 900 Mark, but He’s No Methuselah

Del Harris reached a milestone Friday night when he became only the 18th person in NBA history to coach 900 regular-season games, normally cause to reflect on a successful career.

“Except I just talked to Bill Fitch, who’s done 2,000,” Harris said.

So for the time being, he would have to settle for being in elite company around the league, one of only seven active coaches to reach 900, but the junior member of his profession Friday night at the Forum against Fitch and the Clippers.

“That puts me in perspective, yet there’s, what, 17 guys who coached more games than I did?” Harris said. “It gives me more respect for guys who have been around that long.

“I’m just happy to win a game. And if they add up, that’s so much the better. I’m really happy to have competed this long. That’s what I like.”

They are adding up. Wednesday’s victory over Golden State was No. 475 for Harris, putting him ahead of Kevin Loughery for 19th on the all-time list.

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Larry Krystkowiak faces his future, again. His second 10-day contract expired after the Clipper game, so the Lakers must decide today whether to sign him for the rest of the season or let him go.

Krystkowiak’s biggest contributions have come as a practice player, with only 11 minutes of actual game action heading into Friday. Harris has been pleased with the work, but the veteran forward’s case is hurt because keeping him for the final five weeks would cost about $50,000, a substantial amount considering his role will be practically nonexistent and that Krystkowiak probably will be either cut or put on the injured list when Robert Horry returns.

That target for that is less than two weeks away, sometime around March 26 against Milwaukee at the Forum, or the next night at Vancouver. The Lakers could choose to sign someone else to a 10-day contract to fill the gap, or just go with 11 players until then.

“Whether I’m here or not, it’s been an enjoyable three weeks,” Krystkowiak said. “Let’s see what happens. There’s only so many things you can control. That decision is not one of them.”