Bryant Still Adjusting

With eight regular-season games remaining, Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant appear locked in their familiar debate, Jackson touting the system, Bryant pushing the limits of it.

It might not help that Jackson demands scoring one night, playmaking the next, scoring two days later, or that Bryant, nearly four full seasons into it, claims to be flummoxed by his role in the offense.

So, on they go, Jackson having reviewed the game tape from Sunday night’s debacle in Seattle and deciding Bryant simply “was trying to put his teammates in a position to score.” He took five shots in the first half, never had a free-throw attempt, and appeared oddly withdrawn from the offense.

Bryant reiterated Monday night that he simply was adjusting his game -- again -- to what Jackson has requested.

Asked if Jackson’s conflicting instructions had made things more difficult, Bryant said, “It’s a lot. It’s a lot. But, you know what, my role here has always been difficult. It’s been hard. But I’ve been able to make the adjustments. When things really get rolling, then I make those switches from quarter to quarter. I don’t think it’s that serious.”

Regarding his relationship with Jackson, he said, “We’re fine. Our personalities will always clash. No, I’m just playing.”

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An MRI exam Monday found no structural damage in Rick Fox’s right knee, injured during Friday’s game against the Washington Wizards and bothersome since.

The news came as a relief to Fox, who experienced some pain and limited mobility.

“I was a little worried,” he said.

Fox started Monday night against the Grizzlies.

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Shaquille O’Neal could lead the league in field-goal percentage for a record sixth consecutive season. After leading for much of the season, however, O’Neal has been caught in recent days by Chicago’s Eddy Curry, on fewer than half of O’Neal’s attempts.

Wilt Chamberlain, who shot 54% from 1959 to ‘73, led the league in shooting percentage a record nine times. O’Neal, who is shooting 56.6%, could lead the league for a seventh time.