Rookies Push for Playing Time

Mark Madsen and Slava Medvedenko--Mad Dog and Med Dog--are gaining on regular work in the front-court rotation, Laker Coach Phil Jackson said Sunday night, developments that spoke primarily to their efforts rather than anything Greg Foster can’t do.

“Greg has really got to step into that role,” Jackson said. “But, that’s OK. Right now, Madsen and Medvedenko are pushing him really hard in the backup spot.”

Madsen, of course, has impressed everyone with his hell-bent-for-hardwood style. In addition to being the most annoying player on the court, both to guard and be guarded by, Madsen has made 11-of-17 field-goal attempts and has 24 rebounds in 96 exhibition minutes.

The declaration was something of a surprise regarding Medvedenko, however. Jackson predicted Medvedenko, 21, would be of little use this season, his first in the NBA, only about a week ago.

“He plays well and he’s a consistent player,” Jackson said. “We don’t know what it’s going to be like in a week [when his translator returns to the Ukraine]. It could get more difficult for him in the course of the season, when he has to do this alone.”

Alexander Volkov, the former NBA player who has served as Medvedenko’s interpreter and companion since camp began, is due to leave on November 3, after the Lakers’ first two regular-season games. Volkov said Sunday that he intended to meet this week with General Manager Mitch Kupchak to discuss Medvedenko’s ability to cope on his own. He has had only several weeks of English classes.

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Just because he is 7 feet 1 and 330 pounds, has a pain threshold that allows a silver stud to be shoved through each nipple and likes to think of himself as Superman, Shaquille O’Neal is not entirely free of worldly restraints.

When Wall Street recently cast a wary eye on e-businesses, O’Neal’s 18-month-old Internet company, dunk.net, was forced to lay off dozens of employees. Dunk merchandise--O’Neal wears dunk sneakers, socks, etc.--will be available in retail stores.

The decision to restructure dunk.net and go retail was made by a board of directors and CEO Robert Hollander, according to O’Neal’s agent, Leonard Armato.

“It makes me feel bad,” O’Neal said of the layoffs. “But, the market changed, so we have to change. We had to downsize.”

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Jackson started his third different small forward in three games against Golden State in a 94-87 win at the San Diego Sports Arena. Robert Horry replaced Devean George, who had replaced Rick Fox.

Jackson is considering making that a match-up position, a place where he can go big or small depending on the opponent.

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Of the many obstacles to a Laker championship repeat, Jackson listed O’Neal’s ability to make free throws the foremost. A 52.4% shooter last season, O’Neal is 15 for 49 (30.6%) in the preseason.

“My biggest concern is that Shaquille makes free throws,” Jackson said. “He makes free throws and we win ballgames.”

O’Neal has taken to angling his feet away from the rim, which he believes allows his right shoulder more freedom and leads to a smoother release. Jackson grinned.

“He wanted to do it on his own for a while,” he said.