Rider’s Role Is Still Undefined

The Lakers celebrated their playoff-clinching victory in Utah on Tuesday night by flying Wednesday morning to Chicago, J.R. Rider in tow.

And while it would be wonderful for the Lakers if Rider weren’t suddenly a bit more necessary, Kobe Bryant did not practice Wednesday and he is doubtful for tonight’s game against the Chicago Bulls. The Lakers held an informal, mid-afternoon shoot-around and by all accounts Rider made the bus, the plane, and the bus again.

Bryant has a strained left ankle and sore left foot, injuries that have kept him out of six of the last seven games. Coach Phil Jackson has said he would not play Bryant without him practicing first, which would seem to rule out tonight.

Instead, Bryant received his usual treatment. Another guard, Mike Penberthy, was treated for a sprained right thumb, aggravated against Utah.

Already down Bryant and Ron Harper, a longshot to play again in the regular season, and with Tyronn Lue on the injured list, the Lakers are running short of guards.

Penberthy injured his thumb about a week ago, then was hacked hard by Karl Malone in Utah.

These were the times, of course, that were supposed to make Rider important, why the Lakers held onto him despite the frequent tardiness and the five-game suspension and the odd behavior. Instead, with Jackson’s list of available guards running thin and the team desperately needing a scorer, Rider was benched for missing the team bus to Tuesday’s game.

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There’s not much left around Chicago to remind Jackson of his days with the Bulls, other than executive Jerry Krause and a few old bumper stickers.

That’s why, when asked his feelings about returning, Jackson couldn’t muster any emotion.

“It’s one year diluted,” he said. “Decaffeinated.”

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Shaquille O’Neal, who has averaged 31.4 points and 12.9 rebounds in the seven games since Bryant injured his ankle, was treated for his bruised left knee Wednesday and did not participate in the shoot-around. . . . The Lakers have firmed up their plans to hold training camp in Hawaii, rather than in El Segundo, next fall. The Lakers will play two exhibition games against the Golden State Warriors in Tokyo on Oct. 13 and 14.

TONIGHT

vs. Chicago, 5:30 p.m., Ch. 9

* Site--United Center.

* Radio--KLAC (570).

* Records--Lakers 49-26, Bulls 12-61.

* Record vs. Bulls--1-0.

* Update--Looking ahead to Jackson’s return, the Bulls allowed Jerry Stackhouse to score 57 points Tuesday night in a 27-point loss to Detroit. The Bulls have lost five in a row and have one win in 14 games since March 6.