Kidd Doesn’t Practice, but He Feels Better

Jason Kidd sat out his second consecutive practice Tuesday after aggravating his injured left ankle in Sunday’s game. But the point guard was still leaning toward playing tonight in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Lakers at Staples Center.

“I feel better than I did yesterday,” said Kidd, who will make a game-time decision on suiting up. “They’ve tried every contraption possible on it.”

Kidd underwent surgery in which three titanium screws were implanted in the ankle, but there was no ligament damage. Hence his ability to return in less than six weeks.

But tendinitis has developed in the soft tissue, causing the recent discomfort.

Kidd, 27, is reportedly close to signing a one-year, $10-million extension that would keep him in Phoenix through the 2003-04 season.

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While Coach Scott Skiles is keeping his Game 2 strategy on guarding league MVP Shaquille O’Neal secret, there is speculation that rookie small forward Shawn Marion will draw double duty.

That’s news to him.

“Naw, I’ve got to guard Glen Rice, one of the best shooters in the NBA,” Marion said. “Not me. If I get a chance I’ll go in there and check him, but I’ve got to watch out for one of the most dangerous shooters in the league.”

Still, Marion did such a fine job on Rice in Game 1--limiting the sharpshooter to seven points on two-for-nine shooting--that the 6-foot-7, 215-pound Marion is a likely candidate to join the 7-2, 260-pound Luc Longley down low in certain situations against the 7-1, 315-pound O’Neal.

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Rodney Rogers can’t wipe the smile off his face, mostly because he escaped the Clippers by signing with the Suns as a free agent on Aug. 3, 1999.

“I’m having a lot of fun and had a great year,” said Rogers, who recently was named the NBA sixth man of the year. “And now I’m in the playoffs, in the second round, playing against the best team in the league.”

Rogers, a Clipper from 1995-99, was the lone Sun to play in all 82 regular-season games. He enjoyed coming back to Phoenix for two days of practice between games.

“Most guys probably wanted to stay out there, but it’s about business,” he said. “Some people might think it’s different because it’s the playoffs and you’re on the road so you need to get used to foreign territory.”

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In five playoff games, the Suns have set marks for the three lowest-scoring games in franchise postseason history. The nadir came in Game 2 of their first-round series against the defending champion San Antonio Spurs, when they lost 85-70. They also scored 72 in their Game 1 win over the Spurs and 77 points against the Lakers on Sunday.