Jackson Knows It’s Not Same Old Bulls

Though he conceded that he’ll probably have nostalgic feelings tonight at Staples Center, Coach Phil Jackson said it’s not as if he’ll be coaching against a Chicago Bull team featuring Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.

On the Bulls’ active roster, only Toni Kukoc, Randy Brown and Will Perdue played for Jackson during his nine seasons as Bull coach.

“Yeah, it’s really different,” Jackson said Thursday of his first game against the Bulls since he left after the 1997-98 season, while pointing out that it’ll be nice to see members of the public-relations and broadcast staffs.

Jackson, who said he’ll be much more emotional for his return to Chicago on Feb. 15, said he didn’t have a burning desire to beat his old squad, other than to avoid losing a home game to a franchise that has lost 16 of its last 17 on the road.

“Sure hate for that to happen,” Jackson said. “That’s something you’d really be anxious about. So we’ll be attentive to that, that we play really well.”

During his year off, Jackson said he watched the Bulls on TV only once.

“Actually, [Bull Coach] Tim Floyd called up and asked me what I thought about the game,” Jackson said. “We talked a little bit about it. We have a relationship that’s good. . . .

“You know, Floyd’s a good defensive coach. He’ll make trouble for us.”

And is there an update on Jackson’s much-chronicled relationship with Bull General Manager Jerry Krause?

“I haven’t spoken to Krause,” Jackson said, grinning, “for a while.”

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Jordan apparently won’t be at tonight’s Bull-Laker game, but Jackson said he has heard that Jordan will be in L.A. during the first week of December.

Does that mean Jordan will work out with the Lakers, as he did recently with the Bulls?

“I’ve left an open invitation,” Jackson said, “if he wants to.”

TONIGHT

vs. Chicago Bulls

7:30, Fox Sports Net

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KLAC (570).

* Records--Lakers 7-3, Bulls 1-7.

* Record vs. Bulls (1999)--Did not play.

* Update--Forward Toni Kukoc, the last integral piece of Chicago’s championship run, has missed the last four games because of back spasms and is not expected to play tonight. Chicago is scoring 85 points a game, the worst average in the league.

* Tickets--(213) 480-3232.