‘Feeling Out’ Period Is Part of Regrouping

On Day 1--The Vulnerable Period, recognized across the NBA as the day immediately after a loss to the Clippers, the Lakers practiced a little and watched tape of the first six minutes of Sunday night’s game, by which point they already were showing the first symptoms of self-immolation.

They meditated some with psychologist and Zen devotee George Mumford, an old favorite of Coach Phil Jackson, and then trudged back into the rain. Of course it rained. On the day after the Clippers have beaten the Lakers, it might as well look like Detroit.

The Lakers have three more days of practice before Friday’s game against Cleveland. By then, they almost certainly will have heard from Jackson about their defensive inadequacies, their offensive decisions and their general lack of energy. But if there is to be dramatic change at what amounts to a mini-camp, Jackson isn’t sure yet what it will look like.

“I can’t say exactly what we’re going to do differently,” he said. “First of all, because it’s our business and not yours. So, when we do it, we’ll let you know. The other thing, I kind of like to be intuitive about what I do.

“After watching the tape and after the experience of [Sunday] night, I thought there was more to be gathered out of other things [than from a regular practice]. That’s the way I have to work. I’ll go through this week feeling out the team and seeing how they’re progressing.”

Kobe Bryant hoped to let it all go.

“That’s behind us now,” he said. “Sixteen and one ain’t bad.”

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Mike Penberthy, who made six of 23 three-point shots in his last 10 games, appears headed for the injured list. The Lakers believe a sore right shoulder has hindered him.

Tyronn Lue, on the injured list since the season’s seventh game, is expected to be activated in time for Friday’s game against Cleveland.

Lue lacks the long-range shot of Penberthy but is very quick and could help defensively. The Lakers were frustrated with their inability to contain Clipper guard Earl Boykins.

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If NBA coaches are going to quit when their players refuse to play a particular defense, or any defense, there will be a lot of openings, maybe beginning with Jackson’s job.

Jackson interviewed with Rick Pitino, then the Knick coach, in 1987. Jackson did not join Pitino’s staff but they maintained a relationship, and Jackson said he was sorry to see Pitino resign from the Boston Celtics on Monday.

“I know it’s a big disappointment to him,” Jackson said. “He came in with a lot of good energy and a lot of promise. He brought in a style of defense that was completely different than what Boston Celtic fans had seen.”

Ultimately, Jackson said, those fans and that defense could not co-exist.

“I feel badly for him,” Jackson said. “I know he wanted all that success. But Rick’s a guy with a green thumb. He’s always come up with a four-leaf clover in his pocket. He’ll be all right.”

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Jim O’Brien, who has taken over the Celtics in the interim, isn’t expected to stay beyond this season. If O’Brien leaves and the Celtics start shopping, expect Kurt Rambis to express interest, with full knowledge that his strong Laker ties make him a real longshot in Boston.

Rambis, the Laker assistant general manager, replaced Del Harris as coach in the 1998-99 season. His record was 24-13.