George Looks for Help

Thirty minutes before the team bus would arrive at American Airlines Center on Thursday night, Devean George and Kurt Rambis stood under one basket, Rambis doing all of the gesturing, all of the talking.

It’s about shot selection, Rambis told the struggling forward. It’s about better decisions. It’s about assertiveness and just being an athlete. George nodded, and occasionally smiled, having come for help after consecutive games of 0 for 10 and four for 12.

Three weeks before, George was shooting better than 50%, among the league leaders. By Thursday night, his shooting percentage was 45.1 and falling.

In a period in which the Lakers needed solutions, George had become one of the most daunting problems.

The alternative arrived 45 minutes later. Rick Fox wore a wool hat, a black warmup suit, running shoes and no socks. He sat on a folding chair in the visitors’ locker room, in body with the team, in spirit on the injured list, in reality somewhere in between.

“Not yet,” Coach Phil Jackson had said. “I don’t think we’re in a position yet ... to put him out there at this level.”

“I’m not afraid he’s going to re-injure himself. I want him to be able to succeed when he goes out on the floor.”

Eight months after foot surgery, Fox practices but does not play. He runs dozens of miles a week but apparently does not change direction well enough for Jackson, and does not yet jump high enough, the latter having plagued Fox for most of his career.

He grins and defers to Jackson.

“That’s the only man whose opinion counts,” Fox said.

Maybe a week, he said. Maybe two. For the first time in weeks, the Lakers can envision themselves getting healthier.

Horace Grant called Jackson on Thursday and told him to expect him late tonight in Salt Lake City, so he should be available Saturday night. Kobe Bryant might also play Saturday night, when he is eligible to come off the injured list.

“It’s an option,” Jackson said.

Shaquille O’Neal said he hoped to play Wednesday night against the Seattle SuperSonics. Fox could follow. Or he might not. Karl Malone might not be on the floor again until after the All-Star break.

Fox shrugged.

“I trust [Jackson],” he said. “I trust his eye. He’s watched me play long enough.... I wouldn’t be afraid to get out there. It’s what he said, about getting me out there in the right situation to have some success.”

As the first half of the season fell away, Fox said he did not fear the same for his career.

“Eventually, I’m going to get a shot to play basketball again for this team,” he said. “I don’t question whether I can play again.”

In the meantime, George drew two early fouls against the Mavericks, then showed some life with 24 points as the Lakers waited for reinforcements.

“I’m worried about all of us,” Fox said. “Devean seems to be in maybe one of the clearer struggles.... But that in no way is an indication of his complete game. What it is is an indication of ... the pressure to play at a level that is new to him. In this league, you get thrown into the fire.”

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O’Neal has a new piece of jewelry, a ring with a face about the size of a silver dollar. It is the Superman logo, sprinkled with diamonds.

“I don’t know if I can play anymore,” O’Neal said. “I’m trying to get my power back.”

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X-rays on Jamal Sampson’s sprained right ankle were negative. He did not play Thursday night.... A Laker correction: The Los Angeles Laker record for consecutive road losses is 10, not eight, as the club indicated previously. The Lakers lost 10 road games in a row from Jan. 16 to Feb. 9, 1964.