A Divided Team Must Conquer Differences

Phil Jackson fears the Lakers’ recent poor play is connected to their interpersonal relationships, the byplay of which has found itself more often than not in the morning newspaper.

While one would believe they’d overcome such issues in seasons past, when snits became championships, perhaps the division of high- and low-profile players is too great a weight.

“I think they’re a little mentally fatigued, from their extracurricular work last week,” he said. “I think it carried some concern and I think they are looking over their shoulders right now. So, we’re talking about relaxing and playing basketball.

“This is not about people getting along with each other. This is about performance on the floor.”

So far, little has worked. Not Kobe Bryant carrying the load. Not Shaquille O’Neal returning to do some, or most, of the lifting himself. They are 10-15, even with Sunday night’s win over the Orlando Magic.

They lost when they all got along, and lost again when they didn’t, and Tuesday night in Minneapolis they’ll play the first of six games in six different cities, as grim a stretch as they’ll have all season.

There is a weight to bear. The Lakers live with their own aspirations, and their public’s, what Jackson called a sense of entitlement that asserts the Lakers win every game.

“We’re just having a hard time,” he said. “We have to make it OK before it’ll be OK.”

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Jackson, laughing, on any regrets so far: “Just signing a three-year contract, as opposed to a five-year contract.”

It was a joke.

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O’Neal will be married in late December.... After practice, the Lakers leave today on a four-game, six-day trip through Minnesota, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Toronto.... Derek Fisher’s six rebounds were a season high.