Rider Goes Easy on the Officials

Isaiah Rider is much more patient with the NBA’s referees than they are with him.

Though his coach has railed against the officials’ alleged bias against him, Rider said Friday that he does not feel persecuted.

“I don’t think they’re jumping on me personally,” Rider said. “I think that happened and now we move on.”

Rider received two technical fouls--and therefore an ejection--Wednesday night for questioning a call, in a manner similar to other NBA players. He has been called for four technicals in 12 games, though one was rescinded by the NBA.

By all accounts, Rider was civil to referee Jack Nies, right up until the ejection.

Coach Phil Jackson, who has defended Rider on every technical, said he is considering bringing the trend to the attention of league officials.

“Well, he asked the wrong official a question,” Jackson said. “That’s the problem. You have to ask the right official a question and then you might get an answer. You’d have to ask a civil crew. That one doesn’t have a civil person on it.

“There’s not much you can do about that except place a call to people in higher-up [capacities]. We’ll wait and see. It’s still early.”

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Despite skills that would suggest otherwise, Shaquille O’Neal said Friday that his sore left ankle and Achilles’ heel continue to sap his strength and mobility.

Jackson figured he’d say that.

“I think he’s 100%,” he said. “He might dispute that. But he’s healthy.”

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Rookie Mike Penberthy averaged 20 minutes in his previous five games, or about seven minutes a game more than Rick Fox.

“I’m allowing Mike to get out there and make some mistakes and I’ll eventually make a decision on how good he can be,” said Jackson, who likes the way Penberthy pushes the ball, the perimeter threat he provides, and the rhythm he plays to.

Asked if Penberthy possesses the physical tools to live up to Jackson’s defensive expectations, Jackson said, “That’s a tall order for anybody. But he tries. He’s working hard on his defense.”

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Ron Harper is in Texas, where today he will attend the funeral of his grandfather. He is expected to be in uniform Monday, when the Lakers play the Clippers.

In 12 games, Harper has nearly as many turnovers (18) as assists (22), but his scoring has improved. He was 13 for 18 from the field in his past three games.

“He specializes in disrupting a team defensively,” Jackson said. “And Harp’s had a hot hand. We were quite concerned about him leaving because he’s had such a hot hand. It doesn’t take much to throw his shot off. We want him to stay as tuned in as he could.

“Other than that, I think it’ll be good for us. It’ll extend our reserves and make us play a little harder.”

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Kobe Bryant is no longer affiliated with Olimpia Milano, the Italian professional team he bought into a year ago. This week, the club officially was taken from Bryant and awarded to a group of local businessmen.

Bryant, whose investment was estimated at $1 million, declined comment.