Jackson Plays Confidence Game

The time for learning the offense, finding a shooting stroke, and developing a feel for teammates appears to be over, and that has meant more playing time for veterans Brian Shaw and Derek Fisher, and a lot less for newcomers Lindsey Hunter and Mitch Richmond.

Added for the perimeter threats they’d be when zone defenses were legalized, Hunter has made 38.6% of his threes and Richmond has made 28.6%.

Hunter played only three minutes Sunday in Sacramento and played eight minutes off the bench Tuesday night against Cleveland. Fisher started at point guard, after 22 consecutive starts by Hunter.

“The conversation we had recently was about opportunities and taking advantage of them,” Coach Phil Jackson said of a conversation with Hunter. “I said, ‘As this gets a little closer, things have to change.’

“It’s confidence ... and then making the shots. He’s been in a tailspin for seven or eight games.”

*

Kobe Bryant’s final shot in warmups was from the three-point line, toward the other basket, maybe 75 feet away. It banked in, and he whooped.

“Don’t touch me!” he shouted on his way off the floor. “Don’t nobody touch me!”

TONIGHT

At Phoenix

6 PST, Ch. 9

Site--America West Arena

Radio--KLAC (570)

Records--Lakers 50-20, Suns 32-38.

Record vs. Suns--2-1.

Update--The Lakers have lost two in a row in Phoenix, most recently on Nov. 16 by 95-83, the Lakers’ only loss in the first 17 games. The Suns are 53-36 against the Lakers in Phoenix. ... Shaquille O’Neal averaged 29.3 points in the first three games.