Even on His $40,000 in Fines, Payton Wants the Last Word

Walking through the Lakers’ locker room last week, Gary Payton sputtered what most in his situation would.

“Forty grand,” he said, his expression somewhere between annoyed, bemused and what’s-he-going-to-tell-the-wife.

Shaquille O’Neal had been touched for $275,000 not three weeks before, so there was limited sympathy there. Other than that, heads bobbed everywhere, $40,000 being $40,000, even if it wouldn’t have bought a single car in the players’ lot that night.

In a single week, Payton was fined $40,000 by the league, $15,000 for fighting Golden State’s Speedy Claxton and $25,000 for failing to participate in the skills challenge during All-Star weekend.

By his count, he’d stated “17 times” publicly that he would not be available the Saturday night before the All-Star game. The league claimed, however, it had not received official word until Thursday, two days before the event, and so the fine was levied.

Perhaps not coincidentally, Baron Davis earned $25,000 for winning the event. The league has not asked Payton to simply write a check to Davis. So far.

Aaron Goodwin, Payton’s agent, said he would file a grievance over the All-Star fine through the players’ association, which might eventually lead to a hearing.

“The punishment does not fit the crime,” Goodwin said. “Gary thinks the NBA is dumping on him.”

On the bright side, it’s been days since Payton was ejected from a game.

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And so it goes: The Arizona Republic reported Monday that Kobe Bryant’s father, Joe, “has told some in the Suns’ organization that he would like his son to play in Phoenix.”

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Magic Johnson apparently will support Dennis Rodman’s attempt to return to the NBA and the two will begin earnest workouts this week, according to Rodman’s agent.

Rodman, who will be 43 in May, has not played in the NBA in four seasons and recently was released by the Long Beach Jam.

Darren Prince, Rodman’s agent, said Rodman would begin training with Johnson on Wednesday or Thursday.

“This is the final step,” Prince said. “Earvin offered his assistance in getting him to the next level. He should be ready within a week.”

The Lakers have limited, if any, interest in Rodman.

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Bryon Russell has played 25 minutes since Feb. 5, 17 of them in a 28-point win against the Philadelphia 76ers, and even then he shot the ball only three times.

The better Rick Fox gets, the worse Russell’s playing time, a reality Russell expected.

So, even as he played two minutes over one recent five-game stretch, Russell was a pleasant, optimistic personality in the locker room.

“Just keeping my head up,” Russell said. “All I can do is wait and see what happens. Ain’t no use in sitting and pouting. There’s no reason to be mad at anybody.”

He played 5 minutes 42 seconds at the end of the third quarter and beginning of the fourth Sunday in Phoenix, where he helped the Lakers finish the Suns. He made a 22-footer from the left wing to start the fourth and later drove the lane for a layup, bridging the gap between the second unit and the starters.

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The Lakers did not practice as a group Monday, Coach Phil Jackson giving them a breather between the overnighter to Phoenix and a stretch of 16 games in 26 days. They will not have consecutive days off for a month, during which they’ll touch the East Coast on two trips.

“I’m not getting out of bed tomorrow,” Horace Grant said wearily Sunday as he left the locker room in Phoenix.

Karl Malone, Luke Walton and Kareem Rush did visit the Lakers’ practice facility Monday, Malone to advance his rehabilitation schedule to straight-ahead running. Walton (strained knee) and Rush (bruised foot) received treatment.

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Bryant was named the Western Conference player of the week. He averaged 33.5 points, 7.5 assists and 6.5 rebounds in four games, all Laker wins.

The Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade was the Eastern Conference recipient.