Jackson Finds Motivating Force

When you’re a division-leading 17-3 and facing the worst team in your division, it can be a stretch to find a motivating factor.

But Laker Coach Phil Jackson got his handed to him Saturday when the Golden State Warriors, tonight’s opponent, fired Coach Dave Cowens and replaced him with Brian Winters.

“It’s a pressure release,” said Jackson of the firing. “The team can play better, play freer [initially]. There are a lot of talented young players on that team, and it’s always easier to try and eliminate the problems by firing one coach than 12 players.”

Jackson doesn’t expect to see a radically different Warrior team.

“They are not going to change the offensive plays,” he said, “but with a new coach, there is a new pecking order, and it’s now his intuition and his feel for what works.”

What works for Jackson is finding yet another reason for his team to avoid complacency.

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For 80 foster kids from the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, it was a dream holiday moment.

Not only did they get to attend a Christmas party at the Lakers’ Healthsouth Training Center in El Segundo after the team’s practice Saturday, but seated on Santa’s twin chairs, complete with red stocking caps, were Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant.

“Seeing these kids smile,” Bryant said, “and putting a smile on their faces makes this an incredible day.”

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Because he was running a fever, forward Robert Horry played only six minutes Friday night against the Clippers. But by Saturday, the fever had broken, enabling Horry to fully participate in practice.

TONIGHT

vs. Golden State, 6:30 Fox Sports Net

Site--Staples Center

Radio--KLAC (570)

Records--Lakers 17-3, Warriors 9-15

Record vs. Warriors--1-0

Update--Great Western Forum or Staples Center, it hasn’t mattered to the Warriors, who have been inept in both places in losing 14 road games in a row against the Lakers. In their only previous meeting this season, the Lakers beat Golden State, 106-90, at Staples Center, led by Bryant’s 28 points. The last time the Warriors won on Laker hardwood was in the 1993-94 season when, amazingly, Golden State swept all three games it played at the Forum.

Tickets--800-462-2849