Malone’s Knee Is Better

Karl Malone told team officials that his knee was improved Tuesday and was convincing enough to stay off the injured list.

Instead, the Lakers discovered tendinitis in one of Jannero Pargo’s knees, activated rookie forward Brian Cook and continued to hope Malone would require fewer than five games to return to their lineup.

Coach Phil Jackson said that Malone had “improved dramatically,” a description tempered by team officials. Malone will take daily treatment for his sprained right medial collateral ligament and be examined by team physicians Monday. In the meantime, Jackson started Slava Medvedenko at Malone’s power forward spot, affording the coach a chance to protect Horace Grant, who would be needed if Shaquille O’Neal fell into foul trouble.

Dennis Rodman, preparing to prepare himself for a return to the NBA by playing a few minutes with the ABA’s Long Beach Jam, apparently will not be an option, should Malone’s injury linger. Jackson said he spoke to Rodman “a couple weeks ago.”

“It was about his own career, where he was going, what he wanted to do with it,” Jackson said.

Jackson implied that Rodman called to inquire about a place with the Lakers, and Jackson told him the roster size (15) and makeup (many forwards, some of them young) made that impossible.

“So, it wouldn’t be fair to us, it wouldn’t be fair to him,” he said.

As for Rodman’s chances at a return to the NBA at 42, Jackson said, “You know, I would hate to bet against it. He’s just really a terrific athlete.”

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Cook, the 24th pick in the June draft, had finger surgery in training camp and spent the next two months on the injured list. He was told after Monday’s practice he would accompany the team to Oakland and probably would be activated.

He rushed back to his Marina del Rey apartment, hurriedly packed a bag and met his teammates at the plane.

“I know I have a lot to learn,” he said. “I’m getting a little bit of an opportunity. Hopefully, I can make something of it.”

Jackson has his doubts. Asked what he would expect of Cook, he said, “Absolutely nothing. He’s a rookie.”

Reminded that Luke Walton was a rookie and that he’d played a recent fourth quarter, Jackson said, “He’s lifting a little bit right now. He’s starting to bob to the surface.”

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So, the Lakers turned to another power forward, they hope temporarily, Jackson starting Medvedenko alongside O’Neal and Devean George.

Since James Worthy retired a decade ago, power forward has been a position of transient personalities and skills, the reason General Manager Mitch Kupchak sought stability in the off-season.

Malone, even at 40, represented some permanence until Sunday, when Scott Williams fell and took Malone’s knee with him.

In Jackson’s four-plus seasons, the Lakers have had eight different starters at power forward, starting with A.C. Green, extending through Medvedenko, but not Rodman.

Jackson won NBA titles with the Lakers with starting power forwards named Green, Grant, George, Mark Madsen, Robert Horry and Samaki Walker. He started four different players at the position in 2000-01, five in 2001-02 and four in 2002-03.

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The Lakers asked that fans attending games at Staples Center honor the nation’s heightened security alert and arrive earlier than usual.

Also, the lane closest to the arena on Chick Hearn Court, usually reserved for dropping off passengers, will be closed until further notice.