Rider, Penberthy Off Playoff Roster

Looking over the next couple of months, Laker Coach Phil Jackson saw Damon Stoudamire, Jason Williams, Steve Nash and, maybe, way out there, Allen Iverson, all speedy point guards with an ability to penetrate a defense, the type of player that has frustrated the Lakers this season.

That is why Ty Lue--and not Isaiah “J.R.” Rider or Mike Penberthy--was on the playoff roster submitted to the NBA on Thursday. Ron Harper, recovering from knee surgery, also was on the roster. He took rookie forward Slava Medvedenko’s place.

Rider, who left Thursday’s practice quickly, took the news without rancor, according to friends. He has told team officials he would like to return next season to the Lakers, a possibility Jackson did not rule out.

“Isaiah’s had a learning year,” Jackson said. “He’s had a learning curve. He adjusted in the offense. There’s a lot of things he’s done that showed us he has ability. [But], you know, there’s some responsibilities he has to meet before we’ll do that.”

Lue played in 38 games and averaged 3.4 points. He had been on the injured list since March 21 because of a sprained right ankle. In the end, Jackson favored his quickness to Penberthy’s jump shot. In his last seven games, Penberthy made nine of 14 three-point shots, and Thursday appeared crestfallen at the news of his playoff exclusion.

“I guess they feel like they’re better without me,” he said. “Not a lot I can say, other than good luck.”

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Rider was considered for the playoff roster only 10 days after nearly being cut because of repeated behavioral problems.

In the end, Jackson said, he could not ignore the fact Rider has not always been reliable.

“It was not a major factor,” he said. “It was a consideration, obviously. But, we don’t think anything he caused was a disruption that this team couldn’t handle. He’s a good practice player. He played well for us. He showed me every indication that he wanted to be on the roster.”

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The NBA will let Doug Collins, Jackson’s former boss in Chicago, finish the postseason calling games for NBC, despite being named Thursday as coach of the Washington Wizards.

Told the news, Jackson said: “Has he resigned his NBC post? Is NBC going to allow that? Is the NBA going to allow that? That would seem like a conflict of interest.”