Jackson’s Book Gets Bad Review

In response to former coach Phil Jackson’s upcoming book, the Lakers wrote a sharply worded statement Tuesday that distanced themselves from Jackson’s tell-all diary of last season and cited “several inaccuracies” in excerpts they have seen.

A joint release from owner Jerry Buss and General Manager Mitch Kupchak acknowledged that “much of the material” in the book will portray individual players and the Laker organization in an “unflattering light.” But “in just the excerpts we’ve seen so far, there are several inaccuracies,” the statement said. “We are not going to get into specific instances or dissect the book; however both readers and the media should accept that there are inaccuracies.

” ... There are anecdotes that portray things that took place or were said in private, closed-door meetings. While Phil has chosen to go public with some of what took place in these meetings, we will respect the spirit of privacy which we feel should be maintained and therefore will not respond to these entries.”

Passages from the book that criticized Kobe Bryant were printed in Tuesday’s editions of The Times.

In those passages, Jackson wrote about a “psychological war” with Bryant and indicated there wasn’t enough trust built up between them to win a championship last season.

Jackson wrote he asked Kupchak in January to trade Bryant, saying, “He won’t listen to anyone. I’ve had it with this kid.”

Bryant said after Tuesday night’s exhibition game at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim that he respected the coach that guided the Lakers to three championships in five years.

“It’s no sweat for me,” he said. “He’s a great coach. I really learned a lot from him and I respect him. Whatever people say around me, I can’t control what people say. I just move on.”

Bryant blanched when asked if he would read Jackson’s book.

“Why?” Bryant said. “I’d rather read ‘Lord of the Rings’ in one day.”

The book, “The Last Season,” will be released Oct. 21.

Rudy Tomjanovich, hired in July as Jackson’s replacement, said he and Bryant have not encountered any problems.

“All I can say is that the guy has been very cooperative. More than that, he’s been very connected,” Tomjanovich said. “I think he feels free to come up and talk to me. He initiates a lot of things. He’s come to me and had some really good questions.”

Tomjanovich said he would probably read Jackson’s book but he hoped its contents would not affect team harmony.

“The guys that have been here are sort of used to that stuff,” he said. “I pick up the paper or watch the news and it’s almost like a sitcom as far as all the different things that come up, very little of it being what’s at hand ... and that’s a new season, a new chemistry.”

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Bryant had 35 points in the Lakers’ 87-80 loss to Seattle. Bryant scored 15 of the Lakers’ 20 points in the first quarter. Lamar Odom had six points.... Caron Butler, Vlade Divac, Brian Grant and Luke Walton did not play because of injuries.... Jumaine Jones received six stitches after sustaining a cut over his right eye in the first quarter.... Kareem Rush aggravated a sprained right ankle and had to leave the game.