Jackson Sees a Little More Energy

Phil Jackson has not recently lobbied for a trade that might add life to the Laker defense or perimeter shooting, in part because he has seen improvement in those areas.

After speaking with General Manager Mitch Kupchak on Thursday, Jackson said they agreed a trade was not critical but that they would continue to shop. Realistically, it would be difficult to make a deal of any magnitude, given the league-wide fear of the coming luxury tax. Few general managers are willing to add contracts.

“There was a time in the season I thought that maybe we had to shake up our team a little bit, just to get things more active, more motivated, something to shake up the troops a little bit,” Jackson said. “We had to send the message that we’ve got to get busy in the season. [But] the week before the All-Star game, I thought they turned a corner, energy-wise. They played hard. Their defense was much better. A lot of things happened.”

Then again, they played with little emotion Wednesday in Philadelphia, which has often been the case.

“Well, there’s still a lot of time [for a trade],” Jackson said. “Things start heating up a lot this weekend. . . . I don’t want to set the guys on edge by a comment that’s off-handed that has no basis or merit. But you have to stay attentive at this time of year. If you can do something to help your club, you do it.”

Asked if they shouldn’t already be on edge, given their lackluster play in the first half, Jackson said, “They’re a little bit on edge. I pushed their buttons a little bit.”

Jackson gathered his players on Thursday’s day off and told them it was time they started thriving on the adversity of the season. Several players spoke, among them Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. But it was Jackson who challenged them to be tougher.

“Perfect,” O’Neal said. “I love that stuff.”

Said Horace Grant: “I think it’s good. We have to play a little harder and smarter as a group.

“My opinion is, this group can get it done. But they pay me to play ball, not to think about who shouldn’t be here and who should stay.”

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Guard Ron Harper has avoided the injured list so far, despite a sore left knee. He has sat out two games, including Friday night’s against the Hornets.

He sat early Friday evening on a table in the locker room watching “Coyote Ugly” on his DVD player, pausing it occasionally to answer questions about the knee and why he wouldn’t go to the injured list for a week or two.

“I don’t feel I have to,” Harper said. “I don’t think I’ll miss five games.”

Harper said he would “hopefully” play Sunday against the Pacers at Indianapolis.

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Charlotte forward Derrick Coleman suffered a strained left calf in the second quarter and did not return. He was put on the injured list after the game.