Bryant’s Return Shakes Up Backcourt

To make room on the roster for Kobe Bryant on Wednesday, the Lakers’ put No. 1 pick Devean George (bruised knee) on the injured list.

But Coach Phil Jackson said he hadn’t made his final decision about which starting guard, Derek Fisher or Ron Harper, will be pushed to a reserve role when Bryant is ready to return to the starting lineup, possibly as early as Friday’s game against Portland.

“A lot [will depend on] who we play, what success we’ve had defensively against them,” Jackson said before Wednesday’s game, though he conceded he was leaning to a big-guard tandem of Bryant and Harper, mainly because Harper’s knees benefit from starting each half.

“I like the way Derek’s been starting defensively against guards, [being] aggressive . . . takes the offensive charge, starts the games well. I may not ever go to a big starting lineup. I don’t know, we’ll see how it goes.”

Could Jackson switch between Harper and Fisher in the starting lineup from night to night?

“I don’t mind that,” Jackson said.

Harper, who has been a starter his whole career, said he would do whatever Jackson asked.

“If he wants me to start some games, then I’ll start some games,” Harper said. “If he wants me on the bench, I’ll come off the bench.”

How will his knees react to a bench role? “I don’t know, time will tell,” Harper said. “I haven’t ever come off the bench, so I don’t know how that is.”

Jackson said he made the decision to put George on the injured list in part because he wanted George to have some time to observe and learn.

“It’s just basically me getting a grasp on flowing into the offense--still having some brain cramps and not picking it up real well,” George said.