Harris Defends Horry’s New Role

Coach Del Harris, clearly bothered by criticism and questioning about the future of Robert Horry in the starting lineup, has launched a defensive of his power forward.

That makes some sense considering the mobility of Horry has been a key to the Laker defense that has become far more pressure-oriented on the perimeter than power-oriented inside, as it was last season when Elden Campbell played there.

But with Horry down to 7.6 points a game, though a surge in shooting has him up to 45.9%, Harris felt the need to throw some more support behind him after hearing too much of the doubters.

“Apparently on the talk shows,” the coach said. “Obviously a lot of fans don’t understand the role of a guy unless he’s scoring a lot of points. There are a lot of ways to contribute to a team without scoring.

“So I’m just trying to let people know the other things he’s doing, in fairness to Robert. . . . I don’t like to see one of my players not get fair treatment. It’s up to me to kind of explain it. He can’t explain it himself.”

It’s more like he won’t concern himself with it.

“Nah,” Horry said. “You know me. That doesn’t bother me.”

*

The day-after report Saturday on Shaquille O’Neal was good--he reported no problems with the abdominal muscle or right wrist after playing 24 minutes the night before in his first action in six weeks.

It was also good on Derek Fisher: He was walking.

The backup point guard, the second-smallest Laker, took the biggest blow when O’Neal dove over the bench in pursuit of a loose ball late in Friday’s victory over Atlanta. And lived to tell.

“We were both fortunate he went up and over instead of through me,” Fisher said.

TONIGHT

vs. Philadelphia

* 6:30

* Fox Sports West

Site--Forum.

Radio--KLAC (570), KWKW (1330).

Records--Lakers 24-7, 76ers 8-22.

Record vs. 76ers--0-1.

Update--Nick Van Exel had 13 more assists against the Hawks, making him the first player in the league this season to reach double digits in that category in six consecutive games. The Lakers get the chance tonight to avenge one of their worst losses of the season, the 105-95 defeat Nov. 28 at Philadelphia. But another victory for the 76ers earns them a season sweep for the first time since 1982-83.