Bryant Tries to Locate Positive Side

Sometimes, on their way from the bus, or to the practice floor, particularly in the hour or so after a loss, the Lakers appear so weary, exhausted from carrying the weight of their terrible start.

Not only have they been unable to turn around their games -- they are 10-18, 7-9 since Shaquille O’Neal returned from surgery -- but they are asked relentlessly to sort through the reasons and their feelings about them.

Kobe Bryant said it’s OK, that he’s actually regaining some of his early strength, apparently sapped in the first month without O’Neal.

“You have to take the good with the bad,” he said. “Sometimes in a negative situation, it’s tough to find positives. But they’re there. You just have to seek them out. There are a lot of positives to be learned from this game and the last one. We just have to learn from them, as well as the negative ones, and move on to the next one.”

Derek Fisher, rubbing a jaw slammed by Allen Iverson in Friday’s overtime loss in Philadelphia, said the Lakers can turn it around.

“As bad as it hurts to have this record,” he said, “we can come back tomorrow, keep chipping away at it.”

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The Lakers flew to Toronto on Saturday morning and held a light, semi-mandatory practice several hours later.

Those who played heavy minutes were given the day off, leaving the rest to a game of three on three. Several regulars did take treatment and lift weights, including Bryant, who matched his career high by playing 52 minutes the night before.

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Bryant is shooting 44.2% from the field, which, if it holds for the season’s next two-thirds, would be his lowest percentage since 1997-98, his second year in the league.

Among those shooting lower than their career percentages: Bryant, Rick Fox, Robert Horry and Devean George.

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At last, on a trip through Minnesota, New Jersey and Philadelphia, a fair fight for the 10-18 Lakers: the 8-18 Raptors.

Vince Carter is on the injured list because he strained his right knee in practice two weeks ago. He sat out 10 games early in the season because of a sore left knee.

Carter still leads all Eastern Conference players in the All-Star voting.

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There was no sign of O’Neal after Friday night’s loss in Philadelphia, perhaps in part due to frustration with his free-throw shooting. He missed 11 of 19, including all six in the fourth quarter, two with 31 seconds left in regulation that would have given the Lakers the lead.

Asked about O’Neal’s postgame demeanor, Bryant said, “Shaq was his usual. He’s just upset. You’d have to ask him how he’s really feeling.”

O’Neal is shooting 62.1% from the line in 15 games, 48.5% on the road trip.

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Bryant visited his parents while in Philadelphia.... George is expected to play today after spraining his ankle against Philadelphia.

TODAY

at Toronto, 2 p.m. PST

Channel 9

Site -- Air Canada Centre.

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

Records -- Lakers 10-18, Raptors 8-18.

Record vs. Raptors (2001-02) -- 1-1.

Update -- There are plenty of Laker castoffs in Toronto. Lindsey Hunter, who was in the deal for Kareem Rush and Tracy Murray, averages 10.7 points a game. Jelani McCoy has started 10 games at center, Greg Foster nine games. The Lakers haven’t lost in Toronto since Nov. 8, 1996. Two years ago, Bryant scored 40 points in a game at Air Canada Centre. Alvin Williams, Voshon Lenard and Morris Peterson average between 15 and 16 points a game for the Raptors.

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Long Road Back

The team with the worst record to make Western Conference playoffs last season finished 44-38. How Lakers need to finish season to reach that record.

*--* WINS LOSSES TO REACH 44 38 CURRENT 10 18 MUST GO 34 20 GAMES OUT OF PLAYOFF SPOT...4 1/2

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