Knight Learns About Duncan

Travis Knight tied a season high by playing 20 minutes in Saturday’s loss to the Spurs, and while it was rough going for him and the Lakers without Shaquille O’Neal, Knight was able to do a few things that might be of major help come playoff time.

Knight had two offensive-rebound baskets in a third-quarter mini-run and blocked three shots, including one rejection of a Tim Duncan jumper.

“I had to get him back because he got me earlier in the half,” Knight said. “I had to get him back.”

Coach Phil Jackson has said he might want to use Knight more often in a series with a tall team such as the Spurs, so did Knight think he got some valuable experience?

“Obviously, [Duncan]’s a good player, but playing against him, I’m kind of learning the way he does things, the way he moves, it will make it easier,” Knight said. “Repetition always makes things a little easier.”

Did O’Neal say anything to his teammates?

“He said, ‘I’m going to take care of it, don’t worry about it,’ ” Knight said.

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San Antonio Coach Gregg Popovich was not pleased by Jackson’s comments suggesting that the Spurs’ championship last season was at least slightly tainted by the lockout-shortened schedule.

“It was kind of childish, actually,” Popovich said before the game. “He’s a great coach who’s won a lot of championships.

“It’s just hard to figure what his motivation would be for the comments he’s made. I’m chalking it up to being childish.”