Rider, Jackson Question Officials

In two games as a Laker, Isaiah Rider has been called for two technical fouls, one for exposing the left side of his chest and the other for refusing to give Utah Jazz guard John Starks a piggyback ride down Wilshire Boulevard.

Coach Phil Jackson said Wednesday night he believed referees have overreacted because of Rider’s bad-boy reputation, a defense known in the NBA books as “the Dennis Rodman counter.”

Rider actually has a third technical, that incurred during an exhibition game as he protected teammate Tyronn Lue, who had been knocked down by a larger player.

By the standards set by, say, the Portland Trail Blazers’ Rasheed Wallace, these were minor transgressions. In fact, Starks, who landed among the courtside photographers after being shrugged away by Rider, contended later that Rider did not deserve the technical foul.

Rider, who declined to talk to reporters after Wednesday’s loss to the Jazz--”We lost; I was upset”--said he does not believe that he is a target, despite his remarkable 82-technical pace.

“I’ve seen Dennis play over the years, and Dennis used to get a lot of those calls,” Rider said. “People always talk about my rep. I think if you check my rep, I may only get five or six technicals a year. That’s not a whole lot.

“For the most part, I don’t have personal problems with the refs. If they make a call that I disagree with, I’ve been in the league long enough where I can let them know what’s on my mind. But, I know right from wrong.”

With 1:31 to play and the Lakers behind, 88-85, he appeared to break free toward the Laker basket. Starks, however, caught and wrapped his arms around Rider, a clear-path foul that awarded Rider one free throw and the Lakers possession of the ball.

Rider shook away Starks, who stumbled--or, some suggested, performed a stumble. The technical was called, John Stockton made the technical free throw, and the Jazz led by four points.

“He grabbed me, I didn’t expect it,” Rider said. “I know that’s a smart thing to do sometimes when the game’s on the line.

“Once he held me for a few seconds, I moved my back and he went flying. I don’t think I extended my arms and my elbows out too far. When I saw him go into the front row, I thought, ‘Did I throw him that far or was he acting?’ But, if [Starks] doesn’t think [it was a technical] I really don’t think so either.”

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The Lakers lost for the first time when Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant each scored 30 or more points.

They had been 4-0, three of the victories coming last season.

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Robert Horry was expected to return to Los Angeles on Thursday night, then practice with the club today in El Segundo. He left a week ago to mourn the death of his grandmother in Alabama.

In Horry’s absence, Horace Grant logged 84 minutes in two games, guarding first Wallace and then Karl Malone.

“I’m going to go pick him up myself,” Grant said, laughing.