Jackson Lays Down the Leash Law

While the NBA contemplates the stricken Lakers, and the Lakers ponder the wisdom of altering the cast around Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, Coach Phil Jackson said Thursday that his players no longer had the benefit of his patience.

Even as they had one of their better days in a while -- Slava Medvedenko did not chip a bone in his finger and therefore will try to play with a splint on his right pinkie, and Samaki Walker should be activated from the injured list today -- the Lakers continued to deal with the fallout of 13 losses in 20 games. They will play the 21st tonight against the 17-1 Dallas Mavericks.

“They were on a long, long leash this year because of past successes,” Jackson said after practice. “I told them today the responsibility fell back on my shoulders.”

What that means, exactly, remains to be seen. After all, they’re still waiting on O’Neal’s conditioning, their power forwards have taken turns huddling under ice bags, and Devean George apparently needs more time to recover fully from an ankle injury.

Meanwhile, first Bryant and now O’Neal have unloaded on the less capable among them, questioning the desire and ability of the men who fill out the roster.

After another expressionless loss, this one Wednesday night in Utah, Bryant had not the enthusiasm for another berating of teammates. O’Neal took that baton and beat a few of them over the head with it, leaving the impression he could use fresh talent around him.

“This is kind of new for this group,” Brian Shaw said. “We haven’t experienced losing at this rate before. But I don’t think, in the long run, anybody doesn’t respect the ability of anyone in this locker room.”

The Lakers talked in private Thursday, and perhaps got out what they needed to get out.

“It’s easy to cast blame,” Jackson said. “It’s easy to point fingers. What we really have to have are leaders that lead and players that follow.... We’re getting to that point in the season.”

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Here is what the Lakers are up against: Last season, 44 wins (by Utah) were the minimum for Western Conference playoff qualification. If that holds this season, the Lakers will need a record of 37-25 in their final 62 games just to get in.

Hosting a first-round playoff series required 57 wins last spring. If that’s their goal, the Lakers must post a record of, ahem, 50-12.

After starting last season 17-3, the Lakers finished 41-21, hosted the first two rounds, then played a touchy Game 7 in Sacramento in the conference finals before walking through the NBA Finals against New Jersey.

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TONIGHT

Dallas Mavericks, 7:30, FSN, ESPN

Site -- Staples Center

Radio -- KLAC-AM (570), KWKW-AM (1330)

Records -- Lakers 7-13, Mavericks 17-1.

Record vs. Mavericks -- 0-1.

Update -- The Lakers have won 23 consecutive home games against the Mavericks over 12 years. Dirk Nowitzki (21.9) and Michael Finley (20.6) lead the Mavericks in scoring, but it was Steve Nash (21 points) who hurt the Lakers on Nov. 19 in Dallas. The Mavericks lead the league in scoring, field-goal percentage, free-throw percentage and fewest turnovers.