Crispin Faces Uncertainties

Joe Crispin, the rookie from Penn State, took Mike Penberthy’s place on the end of the Laker bench Sunday night, maybe for only a handful of games.

Owner Jerry Buss seems very serious about staying beneath the luxury-tax ceiling, a plan that already cost Brian Shaw about $1.25 million and Penberthy his job. The Laker roster is 14, and perhaps shrinking. Derek Fisher has a critical bone scan scheduled for Nov. 19, and he expects to be activated shortly thereafter.

Coach Phil Jackson refused to divulge the number of players that would be carried by the Lakers.

“I’m not going to name a number,” he said. “We’ll have 12 dressed, hopefully.”

When Penberthy was waived Saturday, Crispin was activated from the injured list.

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Horace Grant, who fended off the large power forwards of the West in last season’s championship run, was to receive his ring before Sunday’s game. He wanted it understated, and the Lakers, after offering a short presentation on the floor, obliged.

“It’s kind of awkward,” Grant said. “I’m on a new team. And that’s not really my style, you know?”

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Mitch Richmond is wearing a black sleeve below his right knee, and he is running with a limp.

Jackson said the injury is more of the same with Richmond, whose minutes will be limited in the early part of the season.

“He had an injury last year and he’s compensating for it,” Jackson said. “He’s working his way back into what we consider 100% conditioning strength. We have to re-strengthen that leg.”

Richmond averaged 17 minutes in the Lakers’ first five games.

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Kobe Bryant suffered a bloody nose early in the first quarter Sunday night, left the floor for treatment and returned later in the quarter.

Bryant will see a specialist today, according to a club official.