Jackson Will Play Whatever Hand He Gets Dealt

By TIM KAWAKAMI

Feb. 24, 2000 12 AM PT

CLEVELAND —

Coach Phil Jackson on Wednesday expressed mild disappointment that the Lakers probably will watch today’s 3 p.m. PST trade deadline come and go without making a move, but said there is no use over-analyzing it now.

“I’m the kind of person who says, ‘Give me the cards and we’ll see what happens with the thing,’ ” said Jackson, who for months has said the team could use at least one more active big man. “And unfortunately, we’ve got some cards that have been dealt us. . . .

“Right now, looking at the opponents that sit ahead of us or alongside us in San Antonio and Portland’s case, [those teams] are big, long, lanky and multi-sized in the front. And we’re going to have to find a way.”

Jackson said that he hopes the passing of the deadline, without a deal, will help Glen Rice, who has been mentioned in trade talk from last summer.

“It’ll be a decisive moment for him,” Jackson said. “I think it’ll be a message that’s been lingering for him for five months. But I hope it’s one which he’s ecstatic about. He’s expressed that to me. But I hope in reality it is.”

Rice has not spoken to reporters for more than a week.

The Lakers stayed over in Cleveland on Wednesday night then were scheduled to fly back to L.A. this morning and, in an unusual move, head directly from the airport to their new El Segundo practice site for their first workout at the new Laker headquarters.

“I may be happy when I get there, I may not be,” Jackson said of the site. “They’re telling me there are a lot of touches left. It’s new. I know that.”

Because of the All-Star break and long trip that followed, the Lakers have not held a practice in L.A. since Feb. 8, and Jackson said he simply wants his players to keep the momentum going.

“You bet,” Jackson said. “There’s no stopping us right now.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

TRIPLE PLAYS / The Big 3

Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and Glen Rice have been the driving force behind the Lakers’ success. How they fared:

O’NEAL

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Wed. Season 19 Points 27.9 8 Rebounds 14.2 7 Assists 3.7

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BRYANT

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Wed. Season 21 Points 22.1 7 Rebounds 6.0 6 Assists 4.5

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