Fans Friendlier This Year

A year later, further away from the muck and despair of a 34-48 season, the Lakers have improved, their playoff chances are mildly entertaining and even their “town-hall meetings” are kinder and gentler.

Unlike last April, Laker General Manager Mitch Kupchak saw much friendlier faces during his annual meeting with season-ticket holders Tuesday night at Staples Center.

Kupchak and Laker Coach Phil Jackson answered questions for an hour in front of about 1,000 people, most of the queries polite and appreciative, as much to do with the team’s end-of-season success as the modified format for the question-and-answer session. (Instead of an open-microphone, fire-at-will arrangement, questions were e-mailed ahead of time and read to Jackson and Kupchak by emcee and TV broadcaster Bill Macdonald).

The loudest negative reaction came after a question about the likelihood of Shaquille O’Neal’s returning to the Lakers when his Miami Heat contract expires after the 2009-10 season. A few people applauded, but mostly there were boos, so many that Jackson and Kupchak began propping up the importance of O’Neal to the organization. Kupchak even said O’Neal’s jersey number eventually would be retired and hung up at Staples Center.

Salary-cap space was a concern in some corners, and Kupchak acknowledged that the team’s most important transaction during the off-season probably would be limited to signing a player for the mid-level exception of about $5 million a season.

Fans also asked about the development of rookie Andrew Bynum (he’s doing fine) and if Jackson made the right decision in coming back (it’s been “rewarding”), an overwhelming turnaround from last season, when questions flew about Kobe Bryant’s shoot-at-all-costs mind-set and the wayward direction of the franchise, with a season-ticket holder even demanding Kupchak’s resignation, citing the O’Neal trade as probable cause.

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Laker consultant Tex Winter has seen plenty of schemes in his day, but the one run by the Phoenix Suns is as memorable as they get.

“I think we can attack them, but can we stop them?” he asked. “If they get to running on you and get the hot hand, they’re dang near impossible to beat. They put up shots that you feel like they shouldn’t even be taking, and they hit them. Even though they’re really not a physical team, they are a pretty good rebounding team. They go to the boards with their quickness.”

Can they be beat?

“They’re not a power team inside, but I don’t know that we can exploit it,” he said. “Try to get the ball inside with penetration, one way or the other.”

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It might not be 100% believable, but Bryant said he is not following the tight race for MVP honors.

“No, not really,” he said. “I’m really focused on the playoffs. The bigger challenge is for us to advance. It’s not me winning an MVP. I don’t really care about that.

“It seems like a stiff [competition], tough voting. It’s tough for the guys to really judge who’s going to be MVP this year, but whatever.”

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Bryant has battled though a laundry list of injuries this season -- a balky ankle, tender wrist, sore hips, knee tendinitis and back spasms, to name a few -- but said he felt fresh heading into the playoffs.

“I feel physically great, as great as you can feel this time of year,” he said. “I don’t have any injuries. I feel great.”

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

First look

NO. 7 LAKERS VS. NO. 2 PHOENIX

* FORWARDS: The Lakers, specifically Lamar Odom, will try to shut down Shawn Marion, a five-category performer who can score, rebound, make three-pointers, block shots and collect steals. Late-season acquisition Tim Thomas has been a model citizen for the Suns after arriving under dubious circumstances: He was sent home by the Chicago Bulls in October after complaining about his role on the team and was ultimately waived.

* CENTERS: Kwame Brown and Chris Mihm will not face traditional prototypes at center because the Suns go with shorter, quicker players at the position. Boris Diaw, a 6-foot-8 forward, had 16 assists and then another 12 in recent games at center against Golden State and the Lakers.

* GUARDS: Smush Parker will be busy trying to stop reigning MVP Steve Nash, who will get heavy consideration in a possible repeat win. Kobe Bryant, who averaged 42.5 points against the Suns this season, will be guarded by Raja Bell, one of the league’s most accurate three-point shooters and an otherwise decent defender who struggles against Bryant.

* COACHING: Mike D’Antoni will receive plenty of votes for coach of the year after guiding the Suns to the top of the Pacific Division despite getting only three games out of Amare Stoudemire. Phil Jackson will try to get past the first round for the 15th time in as many NBA seasons as a coach.

* ANALYSIS: The Suns managed to push forward despite Stoudemire’s knee problems and again led the league in scoring. They are, however, susceptible to strong interior players and their up-tempo format took them no further than a five-game loss to San Antonio last season in the Western Conference finals. The Lakers are looking at tough odds in trying to overcome a 1-7 record against the Suns the last two seasons.

-- MIKE BRESNAHAN