Title Ceremony Could Be Delayed

Because of plans for a league-wide tribute to the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, NBA Commissioner David Stern will attend the Lakers’ championship ceremony only if the club agrees to reschedule its banner raising from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2, a league official said Tuesday.

The Lakers seem unlikely to do that, though enough time remains before opening night for team officials to reconsider.

Because the New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets open their seasons on Oct. 30, Stern believed it more relevant to remain in that area so he could appear at both tributes. Laker Coach Phil Jackson suggested recently that Stern actually wanted to witness the return of Michael Jordan, whose Washington Wizards play at Madison Square Garden.

“That has nothing to do with this,” NBA spokesman Brian McIntyre said. “To suggest that is rather myopic.”

The league also hoped the Lakers would choose not to hold a celebration of last season--the players would receive their championship rings--while also mourning the loss of thousands in the attacks.

“They’ve indicated to us they are inclined to keep the ring ceremony on [Oct. 30],” McIntyre said. “We’ve left the decision to them.”

Laker owner Jerry Buss claimed to be “in negotiations” with the NBA, but suggested that Russ Granik, the league’s deputy commissioner, would be welcome at the banner raising in Stern’s place.

“There’s a fine line between having respect for all the problems that occurred and at the same time trying to get on with business as normal,” Buss said. “I don’t know how it’s going to turn out. I guess it’ll turn out as David wants it.

“As far as I’m concerned, Russ has every bit as much power as David does. So, we will negotiate and see where it comes down. If it turns out we get our way and we do it the first day, then Russ Granik’s presence will be adequate for us.”

*

Jackson left camp Tuesday morning after learning of the death of his mother in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Elisabeth Funk Jackson, 94, died of natural causes, according to Laker spokesman John Black. The funeral will be held in Montana, he said, probably on Friday.

Because of his mother’s failing health, Jackson had told the team at the start of camp it was a possibility he would have to leave. In his book, “Sacred Hoops,” Jackson said his mother, known as Betty, was a traveling evangelist. Jackson’s father died about 20 years ago.

It is not known when Jackson will return to Hawaii, if at all. It is believed he will miss the team’s first exhibition game, Sunday against the Golden State Warriors. The Lakers are scheduled to play the Warriors again Tuesday, then fly to Los Angeles the next morning.

Laker training camp already has been fractured by sad circumstances and injury.

Kobe Bryant’s grandfather died in Philadelphia on Friday, and Bryant is not expected to join the team until Thursday evening.

After undergoing off-season surgery, Shaquille O’Neal, Derek Fisher and Mark Madsen are not practicing.

Fisher, whose surgery repaired a stress fracture in his right foot, was scheduled to return to Los Angeles on Tuesday night for more extensive rehab.

In the hours before the flight, however, Fisher convinced Laker officials he should stay.

O’Neal isn’t yet in the mood to evaluate his surgically repaired toe. He walks the treadmill, shoots free throws, and watches practice. He said he would not know anything before his next examination, toward the end of October.