Record Is on Kobe’s Mind

The Lakers could win a record 73 regular-season games, one more than the Chicago Bulls did six years ago, Kobe Bryant said Friday night.

“I think we can do it,” Bryant said. “I know we can do it. It’s a matter of going out and doing it.

“I don’t think there’s any question we have the talent to do so. We have the best team in the league. Put aside Shaq, put aside myself. We still have the team. We want to play together. We enjoy playing together.”

That said, Bryant said 73-9 is not the goal. Not yet. Not in December.

“If we have the opportunity, if we get to 60-something wins with lots of games left, we’ll use that as motivation,” he said. “If that doesn’t happen, the ultimate goal is winning the championship, regardless.”

They went into Friday night’s game against the Sacramento Kings on a pace to win 77 games. They also were on pace to lose five road games.

Regardless, the Lakers are accumulating wins that will come in handy in January and February, when they’ll play only nine home games. And, they quickly developed confidence in a team with several new players in the rotation.

“We’re enjoying ourselves a lot more,” Bryant said. “We’re more aware of the target people put on us, and we’re willing to accept it. So, we can go out there and play and have fun with that.”

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The maturation of Devean George at small forward has meant less playing time for veteran Rick Fox. The shift has been particularly evident in the fourth quarter, a time when Phil Jackson usually leans on his experienced players.

“If we need him, I definitely feel comfortable going to Rick at any time in the fourth quarter,” Jackson said. “But Devean’s played well, well enough to complement or even play better than Rick. On some nights, I wouldn’t even consider going back to Rick.”

Fox, of course, has noticed his dwindling minutes, the late-game views from the bench. He hasn’t asked Jackson about it, but has subtly changed his workout habits, trying to maintain his conditioning in the face of the shortened time.

“I had to really look at what it was doing for the team,” Fox said before Friday’s game. “It’s making us stronger. Still, it’s one thing to be sitting there in the fourth quarter joking with Shaq and Kobe when it’s a blowout, another to be over there when the game is close.

“Right now, Devean’s getting an opportunity to grow into that. I’ve tried to stay as sharp as I can, and we’ve had success with it. Devean’s done a good job. The fourth quarter is what Phil is hoping Devean can experience. It’s crucial for Devean.”