George Still May Get More Quality Time

By TIM KAWAKAMI

Jan. 29, 2000 12 AM PT

No. 1 pick Devean George hasn’t gotten many chances in big-game situations this season, but he got one Monday, in a surprise second-quarter stint against Utah.

Three nervous minutes later, after a foul, a turnover and a quick hook, Coach Phil Jackson compared George’s performance to Utah rookie Quincy Lewis, who scored six crucial points in the second overtime of that Jazz victory.

“I said, ‘Are you ready to play a big game?’ He said, ‘I’m ready.’ So I just wanted to see if he was really ready or not,” Jackson said. “No, he wasn’t ready.”

But Jackson also said George probably will get more chances, and sounded as if he was looking to find ways to get the rookie some longer stints.

“Yeah, he is trying to,” George said, “but I’m not really making good use of the minutes I get out there. . . .

“[On Monday] I was really nervous . . . because I had sat out for so many games, and then when they called my name . . .

“Hopefully, next time I’ll be able to do something with the minutes. I’m practicing well and doing some of the things he’d like for me to do in practice. . . .

“I think once he puts me out on the floor and I start doing the things he wants me to do on a consistent basis, I think toward the end of the season, I’ll play a lot more minutes.”

The easy victory over Milwaukee on Friday meant 12 more minutes for George, although most came during garbage time. George made two of four shots and scored six points.

Jackson says he’s not concerned about the statistical production of 36-year-old forward A.C. Green, who averaged 2.3 points and 3.7 rebounds over a recent seven-game span.

“I just shortened his minutes,” Jackson said. “Robert [Horry] was playing really well . . . played Robert 28 minutes, A.C. was playing 20.

“He was playing 24 before. Sometimes, those four extra minutes are a matter of three-four points over the course of the game.”

Green got his 20 minutes against the Bucks. Horry played 21.

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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

Fri.: 30 Points

Season: 27.7

Fri.: 8 Rebounds

Season: 14.4

Fri: 4 Assists