Jackson Expects Early Struggle

Scottie Pippen pulled Laker assistant coach Tex Winter aside after the Portland Trail Blazers’ recent exhibition victory over the Lakers, and gave him a quick evaluation of the Lakers’ triangle-offense learning curve.

“He said, ‘Coach, that triangle looks more like a rectangle,’ ” Winter recounted to the crowd at the L.A. Chamber of Commerce luncheon recently. “And right now, I’m afraid he’s right. It’s sort of a wreck.”

Winter, the triangle’s innovator, added that he was sure the players would soon be comfortable, but Coach Phil Jackson and his assistants say they are very aware that, starting Tuesday in Utah, the first month or so of the regular season probably will provide some tough moments.

“Without a doubt, we’re going to struggle to start,” Jackson said. “I think if we’re 5-5 in November, I think we’ll be happy . . .

“We want to just step it up at some level in January and start winning months and winning months. The idea is to build momentum during the course of a season and finish really strong and that’s all that matters to us, really.

“Whether we win 40, 50 or 60 games, if you build the momentum at the end of the season, you’re going to have the type of team you want to go into the playoffs with.”

In Jackson’s first year coaching the Chicago Bulls, the team opened 0-3. In his last, they were 6-5 to start.

With Kobe Bryant out for the first 10 to 12 games because of a broken bone in his hand, there’s no reason for November emergency emotions, Jackson said.

“I just don’t think that I’m going to panic,” Jackson said. “And I think if I don’t panic, the players will remain calm.”