Don’t Count Lue Out Yet

Even though Tyronn Lue hasn’t played much during the Lakers’ four exhibition games, and even though, at 6 feet tall, Lue is half a foot smaller than Coach Phil Jackson’s ideal guard size, Jackson says he can see a role for the second-year player.

Lue has played only a combined 27 minutes in the first four games, and played only seven (scoring five points) in Friday’s loss to Phoenix.

“I think he showed last night what he can do, just boom, get out and start generating energy on the floor,” Jackson said after Saturday’s video session with the team.

“I didn’t get him out there as quickly as I possibly should’ve; he probably was available in the first half to change the direction of that game . . . That’s an ideal situation for a guy like Ty to change the game with speed.”

Jackson has been clear that he prefers very tall guards and has recently added Ron Harper and Brian Shaw, both 6-6, to the Laker roster.

But Jackson said he has given little guards playing time, including 6-0 Corey Williams, a role player on the 1992-93 Chicago Bulls championship team.

Lue, who showcased a frenetic, crowd-pleasing style in 15 games as a rookie last season, says he understands the situation--he has been a dribble-oriented point guard in his career, and the triangle offense frowns on one player dominating the ball.

“It depends on how I play,” Lue said. “I’m going to take it one day at a time, keep learning the offense, keep learning the offense, and hopefully I can get a lot more comfortable with it and then I’ll get a chance to play and show what I can do.

“I mean, I’m still a little shaky out there right now. That’s probably why I haven’t played so much. And I’m not frustrated. . . . When I get the hang of the offense, then I’ll be fine.

“Everybody knows I can play. Everybody’s just telling me to keep my head up for when I get my chance.”

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Jackson said he was unsure if forward Robert Horry, who left Friday’s game because of a sore knee, would be available for today’s game in Bakersfield against the Miami Heat. That, and the presence of Heat all-star center Alonzo Mourning, probably means more time for John Salley, who played one minute Friday, Jackson said. . . . Forward-center Travis Knight, still slowed by a sprained right ankle, probably will start the season on the injured list, Jackson said.