Shaw’s Injury Might Trigger Guard Shuffle

The Lakers’ Brian Shaw could not practice Sunday because of a sore ankle, which may force the acceleration of rookie Devean George’s transition from a wing position to a significant backup role at guard.

Shaw has averaged 19.4 minutes in the key third-guard role, and if he can’t play or is limited Tuesday in Seattle, veteran forward Rick Fox and George will both probably see time at guard, Coach Phil Jackson said.

Jackson has said that he sees George’s long-range future as a guard, if he can adapt to the position.

“He has a hard time coming and focusing right now,” Jackson said of George, who has averaged 9.4 minutes as the team’s third small forward. “It’s almost like rookie-itis . . .

“It’s kind of tough to come here and focus all the time and look at this as his chance to be a proving ground. He thinks of the games as his chance.

“We’re still working at that aspect, for him to come to practice and get something from practice that he can carry to the game. . . . So we made this day a little bit special for him to learn that guard position, to work it out.”

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Jackson says the recent improvement in Shaquille O’Neal’s free-throw shooting is because of better rhythm at the line and the realization that something had to change. O’Neal is 39 for 73 over his last four games, raising his season percentage from 32% to 41%.

“He’s doing a whole different rhythm thing,” Jackson said. “It’s not like every shot he takes is different. Now, every shot he takes has got the same semblance of order to it, and that’s real important.”

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Guard Tyronn Lue, on the injured list because of a sore right knee, practiced with the team for the first time since the injury, but Jackson said he wasn’t sure when Lue would be ready to return.

Rookie John Celestand was activated in Lue’s place six games ago, averaging 13.3 minutes, displaying impressive defensive skills and less impressive offensive moments.

Though both are smaller guards, Jackson said it wasn’t necessarily a roster-spot choice between the two.

“There are a lot of small guards in this league now,” Jackson said. “We could possibly have them together. I haven’t made that as a declaration yet.”