Jackson Dislikes Media at Practices

Coach Phil Jackson declined to join the chorus of playoff coaches who deride the NBA’s decision to spread out the schedule to accommodate television--which ended up giving the Lakers and Kings three days between Games 1 and 2 and another two-day wait before Game 3.

“It’s easy to kick at those types of things, but I don’t think it’s worth it,” Jackson said before Thursday’s game.

“There are other things that are much more worth our time to complain about, and that’s having to let you guys [in the media] into practice when we’re having a practice situation [as per a league playoff directive].

“Now those are things that are legitimate; it changes our practice plans and how we conduct our practices and it takes the energy out of our practices because we have people in that aren’t normally there.

“Those are things that are legitimate to complain about. But these games aren’t . . . “

*

Jackson said he presumed that, upon review of the Game 1 tape, the league and the Game 2 referees would not feel a need to call more fouls on Shaquille O’Neal despite the Kings’ complaints.

“I think when they went back to the tape, prudent minds said this is a complaint that’s not necessary,” Jackson said. “The Lakers shot 21 less free throws than Sacramento in the basketball game, so I don’t think it’s going to be an issue.”

*

O’Neal was announced as the winner of the 1999-2000 IBM Award, a computerized rating that measures across-the-board statistical performances. O’Neal, who had never before won the award, finished ahead of Dikembe Mutombo, last season’s winner.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

LAKERS’ BIG 3

O’NEAL

*--*

Thu. Series 23 Points 34.5 19 Rebounds 18.0 6 Assists 3.5

*--*

*

BRYANT

*--*

Thu. Series 32 Points 27.5 4 Rebounds 5.5 1 Assists 3.0

*--*

*

RICE

*--*

Thu. Series 18 Points 18.0 3 Rebounds 5.0 3 Assists 3.5

*--*