Excited Rookies Join Lakers

Two new faces showed up Monday for unofficial Laker practice at L.A. Southwest College--one from Minnesota and one known for defensive tenacity--but they did not belong to Tom Gugliotta and Scottie Pippen.

No. 1 draft choice Sam Jacobson, from Minnesota, and second-round selection Ruben Patterson, from Cincinnati, made their first appearances after having attended the NBA rookie orientation program.

They joined Shaquille O’Neal, back after a three-day absence; Eddie Jones, Derek Fisher, Corie Blount, Kobe Bryant and the Lakers’ other No. 2 selection, Tyronn Lue, who worked out with the team last week before leaving for the rookie camp.

Depending on the Lakers’ success or failure at landing some high-profile free agents once trading begins, Jacobson and Patterson could be counted on to play significant minutes in the regular season.

“It’s awesome,” said Jacobson, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard. “These guys were like idols to me a few years ago. It’s just outstanding.

“I haven’t really gotten to know them, but so far on the court it’s good. And hopefully I’ve made a good first impression.”

Jacobson said he has been working out regularly with several NBA players and draft choices in Minneapolis, among them Kevin Garnett, Stephon Marbury and Gugliotta of the Timberwolves.

The 6-5 Patterson, meanwhile, showed off strong legs in the workout, a result of his recent detour to play for a team in Greece.

“I had to go for the money,” Patterson said. “It was a lot of money.”

After signing a $600,000 contract and playing for more than a month, Patterson injured his left elbow in October, returned home, and on Monday said he was ready to barrel into training camp.

“I mean, they’re out of shape, but I’m in shape,” he said of his first workout. “They’re telling me, ‘Man, quit running!’ I’m getting up and down and running . . . it was fun.”

If the Lakers, as expected, do not re-sign starting small forward Rick Fox, who seems to be headed to Atlanta, Patterson could be the backup at that position.

“I’m a scorer, but I don’t need to score because of all these guys, the big man in the middle, Kobe and Eddie,” Patterson said. “You know, you look at it last year they didn’t play too much good defense. Coach puts me in the game, I’ll just do what I’ve got to do, play defense.

“Jerry West and Del Harris, they love me. That’s why they got me, because I’m a competitor, and I play hard.”

Neither Jacobson nor Patterson said he expected any contract problems with the Lakers, and both said they would be with the team when training camp opens this week.

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So, Shaq, what’s the lowdown on the Lakers’ trade prospects?

Is it Pippen or Gugliotta? Is that big power forward you always wanted coming to L.A.?

“I don’t know nothing,” O’Neal said. “They asked me who do I want. I said a couple names. I look around, those couple names signed somewhere else. So, I don’t know what’s going on.”

O’Neal, though, said he wasn’t concerned that Houston (if the Rockets sign Pippen) or Phoenix (if the Suns sign several top-shelf players) would emerge as a serious Western power.

“There are still some great players in the league, but I don’t think there’s any impact players like [Michael] Jordan,” O’Neal said.

“Everybody else is all OK, but I’m not worried about other teams. I think the other teams are worrying about what we’re going to do.”

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The Lakers will hold a free scrimmage at the Great Western Forum on Wednesday, Jan. 27, starting about 6:30 p.m. Tickets will be distributed at the Forum or Ticketmaster outlets--with the Lakers picking up any service charges. Parking also will be free.