New Home Has a Good Feel

The Lakers were at Staples Center on Wednesday for their first (and, because of tight scheduling, last) practice at their vast, luxurious new home before their home opener Nov. 3.

Coach Phil Jackson said he was glad he could get his team in the arena--which was set up with the Clippers’ floor for their exhibition game against Milwaukee--at least once.

“It’s a lot different arena to play in than anything else that you play in, perhaps excepting the United Center [in Chicago], which is a very similar arena to this,” said Jackson, who said it took his Bulls a year to fully acclimate themselves after moving from Chicago Stadium and that the team’s shooting percentages have never recovered. “Maybe Detroit is similar to this too.

“It’s the depth behind the baskets that make the difference. . . . We’ll get used to it. Of course, there were a few airballs today. [But] it’s a beautiful place to play.”

The Lakers, whose locker room was not completed Wednesday, will not get back to Staples until the shootaround on the morning of the home opener.

Forward Rick Fox said the Lakers were eager to finally shoot inside and experience what it will be like at Staples.

“The building itself . . . it’s pretty big,” Fox said. “But I like what I see in terms of depth perception and lighting and such. I don’t think we missed every shot we took today--that’s a good sign, considering that some of us have been missing every shot we’ve taken the past week.”

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Glen Rice said that his 21-point performance in Tuesday night’s defeat to Phoenix, after he averaged only eight points in earlier exhibitions, was a result of making a concentrated effort to fit into the flow of the triangle offense.

“Yeah, I was frustrated,” Rice said of the first six games. “I think that’s a part of when you’re learning a new offense, you want to find your niche in the offense, find the way you can get in there and get your game off. And I’ve really been sitting back trying to study. I think we made a big step forward.”

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General Manager Mitch Kupchak said the Lakers continue to look for ways to add a quality power forward but said it is unlikely the team will make a move in the next few days. Kupchak also said the team will stage a tribute for Wilt Chamberlain but said the team wants to keep it a surprise until opening night. . . . Forward Andy Panko was released.