Laker Future Rests With 1-2 Punch of Shaq, Kobe

First on Jerry West’s agenda after the Lakers were eliminated last season in five games by Utah was to lock Del Harris and Nick Van Exel in a room and ask whether they could work together to make sure the same thing didn’t happen this season.

It didn’t. The Lakers were eliminated by Utah in four games.

That, however, wasn’t because of friction between Harris and Van Exel, and while the temperamental point guard was hardly at his best during the Jazz sweep, that had more to do with his sore knees than a sore head.

When the season abruptly ended Sunday with a 96-92 loss at the Great Western Forum, Van Exel said he believes these Lakers are still capable of winning a championship. Asked if that includes the coach, he replied with a simple, “Yes.”

But before the Lakers decide Harris should return, West, before his threatened retirement, must call another closed-door meeting. This one would involve Harris and Kobe Bryant.

It is essential to the franchise’s hopes of adding more championship banners in the foreseeable future to the walls of the Forum and the Staples Center that Bryant fully develop his enormous potential.

Russell had Cousy. Kareem had Magic. Jordan has Pippen. Malone has Stockton. Shaquille O’Neal needs Bryant.

He was on an accelerated schedule when he earned a berth in the All-Star game this season. But just because some people claimed he’s the next Michael Jordan didn’t mean he is Michael Jordan.

It’s debatable whether the Lakers would have been better with or without him in the season’s second half. There is no question they were better without him when he missed most of the four victories against Seattle with flu. He was the Lakers’ third-leading scorer against the Jazz, but he averaged only one field goal for each eight minutes he played.

When he attempts to break down defenses by himself, like he did in high school, more often than not it’s the Laker offense that breaks down. At 19, he has to learn to play the game before he can take it over.

Don’t think Harris hasn’t talked to him about it.

The question West needs answered is whether Harris is getting through to Bryant.

If he’s not, the Lakers need to find a coach who can.

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Chick Hearn said he heard one of the Lakers say they should clean out their lockers before the game to save time. . . .

“If I were the coach, I would have cut him on the spot,” Hearn said. . . .

The only member of the Laker “family” that didn’t show for the game, though, was Hearn’s broadcast partner, Stu Lantz. . . .

He was attending his daughter’s college graduation. . . .

Orlando Woolridge received good reviews as Lantz’s replacement. . . .

But the “Big 0” who had the best game at the Forum was the one who wasn’t talking. . . .

Utah’s Greg Ostertag had 11 points, seven rebounds and five blocked shots. . . .

I guess it’s too late for Shaq to slap him again. . . .

Second-most amazing stat: John Stockton didn’t score until 8:23 remained and finished with one field goal. . . .

Shaq’s famous quote--”I’ve won a championship at every level except college and pro”--still stands. . . .

So does Los Angeles’ record of zero championships for the ‘90s. . . .

The silly people who blame Shaq for the Lakers’ failure to win it all this season are the same ones who blame Mike Piazza for the Dodgers’ failure to win a playoff game while he was with them. . . .

No one had to worry about getting soaked with champagne in the Utah dressing room. . . .

“I’d like to tell you our guys would celebrate until the sun comes up,” Karl Malone said. “But we’re thinking about winning something a lot bigger than this right here.”. . . .

Malone said he’s sure NBC wasn’t celebrating, either, after the Jazz finished off the Lakers in four. . . .

Neither will the network be thrilled if the Jazz’s opponent in the final is Indiana. . . .

Not to worry. Malone predicted it will be Utah vs. Chicago, Malone vs. Jordan, this season and beyond. . . .

“We’re not done,” he said. “I don’t care what Michael tells you guys in the media. Michael’s not done, and Karl Malone isn’t done. For the last five or six years, it’s been out with the old and in with the new. But Michael and I are still here.”. . . .

Not that anyone’s counting, but Utah has won eight of its last nine playoff games against the Lakers.

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While wondering if I can have back my MVP vote, I was thinking: Larry Miller should pay whatever it takes to keep Malone in a Jazz uniform for the rest of his career, Jerry Sloan is the league’s most underrated coach, disagree and he’ll knock your teeth out, Utah over Chicago in six or Indiana in five.