Rider Reportedly at Odds With NBA Over After-Care

Isaiah Rider has chosen not to comply with the terms of the NBA’s drug after-care program because he believes he should not have been assigned to it, according to a source with knowledge of what could become a spirited conflict between the league and the players’ association.

Rider is protesting the NBA’s directive that he be tested and report for counseling, the common approach for a first-time offender. Rider, however, has insisted that he is not officially an offender, and therefore the league does not have the authority to pursue its testing.

The situation stems from an incident last season, when Rider played for the Atlanta Hawks. Atlanta General Manager Pete Babcock said then that he received a telephone call from a security officer for an Orlando hotel, where the Hawks had recently stayed. The officer allegedly discovered evidence of marijuana use in Rider’s vacated room, and Babcock said he notified league security, which investigated.

Rider later accused teammates Dikembe Mutombo and LaPhonso Ellis of snitching.

However, Rider will claim that while he was accused of drug use on that occasion, it was not established as fact.

Rider faces fines and suspensions from the league, along with disciplinary measures by the Lakers, over the latest charges. It is possible the NBA, whose offices are in New York, would take advantage of the Laker trip here and try to meet with Rider.

The trouble comes at a time when Rider is playing his best basketball of the season, Friday night proving his contention that the offense can be balanced and serve its superstars.

“Collectively, for a few guys to have double figures and Shaq and Kobe to still have their games and other guys help, it was good for the team,” he said. “It was a good lift.”

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This is as good a place as any for a feud, and better than most.

Today, in the arena located at the corner of Sodom and Gomorrah, the NBA makes its annual run at the NFL’s pregame Super Bowl blather.

The NFL has matchups? The NBA has matchups.

It has Glen Rice versus Phil Jackson--that’s God to you, pal.

Shaquille O’Neal versus Kobe Bryant--one more time for the national television audience.

Isaiah Rider versus David Stern, Rupert Murdoch and Peter Vecsey--triple-teamed, Rider looks for the open attorney.

Marcus Camby versus any guy facing him--for a change.

And then they’ll play basketball, Lakers versus New York Knicks. It starts a three-game trip for the foundering Lakers, whose defense worsens with their every promise to bear down.

They have yielded more than 100 points to five of their last six opponents, among them Vancouver, Miami and New Jersey, all among the NBA’s bottom nine offensive teams. The Knicks are 27th in scoring, meaning they miss their shots along with their haymakers.

Jackson, who this week said he no longer knew what to expect from his team, softened a little in the aftermath of Friday’s victory over the Nets. After today’s game at Madison Square Garden, the Lakers play at Cleveland on Tuesday and at Minnesota on Wednesday.

“I’d like to be optimistic about it,” he said. “I still don’t think we’re playing the kind of basketball I’d like to see.”

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O’Neal and Bryant, combining for nearly 57 points a game, were named starters for the Western Conference All-Star team Saturday. O’Neal led all conference vote-getters.

The game is Feb. 11 at the MCI Center in Washington.

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O’Neal, who injured the arch of his right foot Friday against the Nets, is expected to play today against the Knicks, according to Laker official John Black. O’Neal had precautionary X-rays after the game.

TODAY

at New York

11:30 a.m. PST, Ch. 4

* Site--Madison Square Garden.

* Radio--KLAC (570).

* Records--Lakers 27-14, Knicks 25-16.

* Record vs. Knicks (1999-2000)--2-0.

* Update--Knick center Camby will serve the last of his five-game suspension for trying to sucker-punch Danny Ferry, an attempt that bloodied Coach Jeff Van Gundy instead. That doesn’t leave the Knicks with much to defend themselves against O’Neal.