Talk Isn’t Cheap Around Here

Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that if the Lakers can’t afford their players, he’d be happy to have them.

Responding to a Times article in which Phil Jackson was critical of his spending methods, Cuban said, “It’s amazing how the two teams in L.A. seem to be switching roles. The Clippers are investing in young players with long-term contracts, while the Lakers have taken to putting their profits in their pockets while complaining about how other teams spend their money.”

On Tuesday, Laker owner Jerry Buss watched practice, the first of training camp and the first since winning his sixth NBA championship, from metal bleachers in the corner of the gym.

NBA most valuable player Shaquille O’Neal has an expensive contract extension coming and guard Brian Shaw remains unsigned. Laker officials expect to sign both. There remains an assumption, however, that Buss will curtail his spending in the face of next year’s dollar-for-dollar luxury tax.

Buss could not be reached for comment and Laker officials refused to respond to Cuban, who, along with agent David Falk, became the second high-profile figure to question the Lakers’ spending habits this off-season.

The Laker payroll is about $62 million, which is above the NBA average and $11 million more than the Mavericks’.

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O’Neal came to camp a few pounds lighter than last season, the result of a summer spent fishing, hunting and generally flying under the public radar.

The Big Svelte sat on a stationary bike Tuesday afternoon, the sweat already dried from the Lakers’ first serious workout. If this is a man gripped by pending contract negotiations, he hides it well.

Asked if he were tempted to remind Buss of the post-championship promise he made to re-up the center, O’Neal smiled and shook his head.

“Nah,” he said. “I let my attorneys handle that. I don’t talk business. I’ve never been one to talk about that publicly.”

Then he added, “I’m sure they’ll do the right thing.”

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After missing media day, Robert Horry arrived from Houston in time for practice. He paid for his unexcused absence in fine money and sprints. Otherwise, the episode did not carry over, and Horry went about his preparation.

“I had something important to do,” Horry said. “It was personal.”

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Isaiah Rider played real basketball Tuesday for the first time since March 17, the day Atlanta released him.

He didn’t play in the summer because he was without a contract and feared an injury. As a result of that inactivity and the newness of Jackson’s complex offense, Rider’s progress within the system might come slowly.

Still, a winded Rider appeared content after practice.

“This is going to be a nice place to play,” he said. “Shaq is very receptive. I can tell that he feels I can help this ballclub.

“To play with the fellas and play underneath Phil, you know, just to play ball again. I haven’t played basketball in a long time. I just look for big things happening.”

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Guard Emanual Davis, still suffering from debilitating headaches nearly seven months after a severe blow to the head, had an uneventful first day of practice.

Davis occasionally fought his equilibrium in the triangle offense, but he was pleased overall.

“Give me some aspirin,” he said, smiling, “and I guess I’ll be all right.”