Rider a Victim of Technicality

When it has come to Isaiah Rider, Phil Jackson has objected to every comparison to Dennis Rodman.

In the closing minutes against Utah, however, the Laker coach discovered a similarity: The officials like neither one.

With 1:15 remaining and the Jazz ahead, 88-85, Rider broke down the court, apparently on his way to a layup. From behind, John Starks grabbed Rider, who shrugged Starks off him.

Rider was called for a technical foul.

“I didn’t like the call against J.R.,” Jackson said. “I thought it was a poor choice. I see he’s going to be treated a little like Rodman. He’ll have the asterisk or the dunce cap on some nights.”

Even Starks defended Rider.

“I didn’t think it should have been a technical, but the referee saw it differently.”

In two games, Rider has two technical fouls.

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It shouldn’t be long before Jackson concedes a starting position to Rider.

After Rider had 13 points and five rebounds in 26 minutes Tuesday night against Portland, Jackson admitted Rider was closer. When it comes, Rider probably will play in the backcourt with Ron Harper, and Kobe Bryant will move to small forward.

“It’s going to be how well he plays with his teammates and how well he operates as a guard, setting up the offense, recognition on how to set it up, and then his skills,” Jackson said. “And that takes a while. I told him we’d be really patient with him for whatever length of time it takes.”

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Bryant has received a lot of treatment on his right knee recently, including before and after Tuesday’s game. Jackson said Bryant “has complained about it.” Bryant also told Jackson that the knee has hurt his jump shot, which he worked so hard on all summer.

Pressed on the condition, Bryant smiled and said, “I would never use that as an excuse. If it hurt, I wouldn’t tell you anyway.”

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Another day, another war for Horace Grant.

Grant, at 35 and counting, played 47 minutes Tuesday night against Rasheed Wallace, went to the airport, arrived in Los Angeles at 2:30 a.m., slept a little, participated in the shoot-around at Staples Center, then went out against Karl Malone on Wednesday night.

That’s how it goes for Grant, who soon could long for his days in Seattle, when he only had to guard the centers. Robert Horry is at his grandmother’s funeral in Alabama, leaving Grant mostly alone with the power forwards.

“That’s one of the reasons they traded for me,” Grant said.

Wallace scored 26 points, but six came in the final minutes on three-point shots, and Grant outrebounded him, 8-7.

“Malone, he runs the floor like a Rasheed Wallace, like he’s 28 years old,” Grant said. “My hands are full.”

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As the holdovers received the spoils of last season, Grant had a plan to keep the newcomers from feeling too awkward.

“I’ve got my three rings,” he said. “So, I’m going to bring two of them. I’ll give one to Greg Foster so we don’t feel out of place.”