Jackson, Payton ‘Fine’

Gary Payton and Phil Jackson took another shot at examining their relationship, addressing their conflicts of playing time and offensive influence between games in New Jersey and Atlanta.

Tuesday night, Jackson said he believed they’d worked out a few things and Payton agreed and on they went.

“It was good for both of us,” Payton said. “I got a sense of what he wants. I think he got a sense of what I wanted. So we’re fine.”

The Lakers played without Kobe Bryant, who was in Colorado for a court hearing related to his sexual assault case, on Tuesday night, which meant Payton had the offense and the basketball in his hands for most of 39 minutes as he compiled a triple-double. Jackson also played Payton and Derek Fisher together in the backcourt, which also helped keep Fisher involved.

It all came a day after Jackson and Payton had sat side by side in a practice gym at Philips Arena, Jackson talking and Payton leaning in.

Jackson had wanted Payton to find his own place in the offense, but Payton grew impatient, particularly when he sat -- too long, he believed -- in many fourth quarters. It made for a long weekend, Payton’s agent expressing his disappointment and the Lakers downplaying it until Payton came out stronger than his agent had.

Asked if he were sure their issues were over, however, Jackson said, “No, I’m not sure of that at all. The players are going to express disappointment. That’s normal, a natural kind of thing.... But those things happen. We’d like to have them expressed in a different place, but that’s all right too.”

Jackson, if nothing else, heard Payton’s desire to have a greater impact on the games. And Payton heard Jackson’s explanation that he needed to keep Fisher shooting and Payton rested.

“More than anything else, if we stepped into my office ... and we talked a little bit about the offense that I direct, I want players to figure out things by themselves so it becomes a creative thing for themselves,” Jackson said. “It’s about how to be innovative inside this offense, where everybody has an equal opportunity. That’s really the frustration I see, that he’s got to find a way to be totally comfortable in the offense with the ball, to know how to do the things this offense will create for you with the ball and without the ball.... Those are the things we discussed. I don’t want to lead him to water, I want him to find it so it becomes creative energy for him, and that creativity he brings to it is an innovation for us as a team.”

*

Karl Malone felt well enough after Monday’s practice to scrimmage against Shaquille O’Neal in Tuesday’s shoot-around, so he continued to make progress on his torn right knee ligament.

He said he doubted he’d play before Sunday against the New Jersey Nets or Monday in Utah, but promised when he did play, it would not be with the thigh-to-calf brace he has worn in practice.

In fact, he told Jackson, given the choice to play immediately with the brace on or in a week without it, “I’d take another week off.”

“It’s like that 454 stuff, that Ben-Gay stuff,” he said. “I always said if I ever used that, I’d retire.”

Malone is scheduled to be examined Thursday by his physician, Ralph Venuto.

“What I would love,” Malone said, “is for him to say, ‘Be smart, but it’s on you now.’ ”

O’Neal practiced at less than full speed, and Malone tried to keep O’Neal from falling on his leg.

“He said he’s ready,” O’Neal said. “I don’t know what the holdup is. But he should get some rest, get better. I want him to come back with at least 10 games left.”