Hard Stretch Is Ahead

There has been a slight change in the Laker program, from 16-1 to 20-5, from nice wins over Milwaukee and Dallas to unsightly losses at Memphis and Golden State, from riding Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant to wondering where everybody else went.

They are 6-4 in December, O’Neal is on the injured list, Bryant’s ribs are not quite right, and the worst part of their schedule--January and February--lies ahead.

Once, they played to sustain what they started. Now, they’re trying to revive it, starting tonight against Toronto.

“We’ve had a tough stretch for finding our rhythm and knocking down some shots,” Bryant said, “but the shots are there. They’re available to us. It’s a matter of being patient and having the confidence to knock them down.”

Bryant scored 39 points Wednesday in Golden State, and the Lakers lost by 11 points.

“We would have liked to have had a better December going into January’s schedule,” he said. “It kind of puts a lot of pressure on us to deliver in January.”

His offense is there when he needs it, or when the Lakers need it, as they did Wednesday at Golden State, but Bryant said he is not consumed by scoring.

“That’s a whole martial arts philosophy,” he said. “I mean, you don’t have to kick somebody’s [butt] to know you can kick somebody’s [butt]. You just do it when need be.”

Bryant received treatment but did not practice Thursday. His ribs are improving, but the soreness still limits his offensive penetration and defense.

In two Laker wins against Toronto last season, Bryant averaged 34.5 points and Vince Carter averaged 29.5 points. Bryant downplayed the matchup.

“I don’t really care about that,” he said.

O’Neal, who has pain in both feet, watched Thursday’s practice from the baseline, atop an exercise ball. He will spend at least three more games--against Toronto tonight, Houston on Sunday and at Denver on Wednesday--on the injured list.

“I’m still hurting, but I’m OK, I guess,” he said.

Asked if he expected to come off the injured list when he is eligible, O’Neal said, “I hope so.”

Coach Phil Jackson didn’t get much more information. “I asked him if he’s any better,” he said. “He said, ‘No.”’

The Bulls continue to roil, of course, in the absence of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Jackson. Tim Floyd resigned Monday, creating another less-than-bountiful situation for the organization that wins championships.

“I tried not to get involved in it emotionally,” Jackson said. “I talked to Pinky, Tim Floyd, a week ago. I encouraged him to stay on course, because I knew it was difficult for him.”

Asked who might be best for that job, Jackson smiled and said, “Who would be good for that job? Captain Bligh.”

Asked what made Bligh so qualified to coach the mutinous Bulls, he smiled and said, “I’m not going to venture into that shark-infested water.”

Laker forward Robert Horry was assessed a flagrant foul (2) for dragging down Matt Harpring by the neck during Tuesday’s win against the Philadelphia 76ers. Players are suspended when their point total reaches six.

Horry claimed he had to protect himself after Harpring backed under him, and the first thing he grabbed was neck. As for the retroactive foul, Horry was less than convinced.

He said league disciplinarian Stu Jackson viewed it from a bad camera angle. “Why would my feet be up in the air?” Horry said.

TONIGHT

vs. Toronto, 7:30

Fox Sports Net

Site--Staples Center.

Radio--KLAC (570).

Records--Lakers 20-5, Raptors 15-13.

Record vs. Raptors (2000-01)--2-0.

Update--Lenny Wilkens has won 1,241 games, most in NBA history. He has won only two of his last 13 against the Lakers, however, for Toronto and Atlanta.... Vince Carter averages 25.9 points. Antonio Davis averages 9.7 rebounds. Davis’ improved play is a reason the Raptors are beginning to look like the Central Division title contender most believed they would be when the season began. They have lost seven of 11, but won three of their last four.... Hakeem Olajuwon, averaging 8.5 points and 7.7 rebounds, has a toe infection and will not play.... Assistant coach Stan Albeck suffered a stroke before Sunday’s game and remains in the hospital.

Tickets--(800) 462-2849.