Bryant Continues to Impress Coach

Rudy Tomjanovich had just about exhausted his dictionary of superlatives in describing Kobe Bryant.

Having already said he “moonwalked” when Bryant re-signed with the Lakers in July, Tomjanovich managed to stay on the ground Friday night while comparing Bryant to Michael Jordan.

Bryant has averaged 35.2 minutes in five exhibition games and has gone over 40 minutes twice, a likely preview of what the season will hold for him.

As Lamar Odom struggles to find his outside shot (14 of 50, 28%) and Caron Butler tries to shake free of injuries, Bryant has averaged 25.6 points and 4.6 assists while shooting 42.5%.

The extra exhibition time seems fine with Bryant, who averaged 37.6 minutes and 24 points last season. “I’m just gearing up,” Bryant said. “I could pretty much run all day.”

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Butler, the logical option to be the Lakers’ No. 3 scorer, might miss his second exhibition game after he suffered a partially torn ligament in the pinkie finger of his right hand. If he plays, Butler will need a splint on the finger of his shooting hand.

Butler, who sat out the exhibition opener because of a thigh bruise, was hurt Friday when he tried to break his fall after getting tangled with the Clippers’ Bobby Simmons.

“My finger felt real hot,” Butler said. “I knew something was wrong.”

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Center Neil Yanke and former USC forward Jerry Dupree were released Saturday.... The Lakers had their first day off since training camp began Oct. 5.... The Lakers play tonight in Las Vegas against Phoenix, which added Steve Nash and former Clipper guard Quentin Richardson as free agents.