Jackson Unsure About Backcourt

With Isaiah “J.R.” Rider’s Laker future in question, Coach Phil Jackson says the projected returns of guards Ron Harper and Derek Fisher will further complicate his backcourt situation.

“It crowds things, it does, definitely,” Jackson said before Wednesday’s game.

“I think Fisher could be back in a week. I don’t know about Harper. We’ve yet to practice full court. Fisher has run a little bit. We were hoping within a week, against Detroit [March 15], maybe Washington [March 16], he’d be available to play.”

Fisher has been sidelined the entire season after undergoing an off-season bone graft on his right foot.

“I just need some scrimmage time in practice,” Fisher said, “and getting used to going through the everyday rigors of playing in the NBA and the pounding you have to go through on a daily basis that you can only get from playing five-on-five and scrimmaging.

“I probably need a week--but we’ll probably only have two or three days when we actually scrimmage. This is our fourth game in five nights, so it really kind of limits how much practice we really can get accomplished. For me, it’s bad; but for our team, we have to rest up. . . .

“To be honest, I’ve been very fortunate and very blessed to have fought my way back to this point, and now it’s just a matter of getting a chance to get out there and see what happens.”

*

Kobe Bryant is playing on ankles so sore, he says it keeps him awake at night.

However, Jackson says it’s still OK.

“We talked a little about that two days ago,” Jackson said. “It doesn’t seem to affect him as much playing as much as it does [afterward]. We were concerned. He had a series of tests again Sunday.

“So far everything’s turned out positive. We’re waiting to see how long this takes to heal and there may be a time there where we’re just going to have to say we’re going to have to back off and let it heal on its own, just so he can be strong and pain-free, going into the last run here before the playoffs.”