Tomjanovich Decision Shook Organization

Phil Jackson was vacationing in Australia when he heard the news that would ultimately reunite him with the franchise he left behind eight months earlier.

Closer to home, Kobe Bryant was taking meetings with Laker owner Jerry Buss and General Manager Mitch Kupchak as news started to spread of Rudy Tomjanovich’s stunning resignation.

A year ago today, Tomjanovich walked away from a five-year, $30-million contract as Laker head coach, citing mental and physical fatigue and acknowledging he had taken anti-depressants in an effort to cope with the lows of losing.

“As tough as it was on us, obviously it was tougher on him,” Bryant said Wednesday. “I didn’t want to see any man go through that.”

Tomjanovich, who now resides mainly in Houston, attends NBA and Development League games as a Laker personnel scout, analyzing players who could be traded before the Feb. 23 deadline or could become free agents in July. He is under contract with the Lakers through the 2006-07 season as part of the $9-million settlement the team gave him.

Tomjanovich, 57, could not be reached for comment, but said he made the right decision to resign in an interview with The Times in November.

“Physically, it was probably too soon for my body,” he said. “I was used to being on the front line but, just like the military, the generals don’t stay up there all the time.”

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Rookie center Andrew Bynum wasn’t nearly as efficient Wednesday against Indiana after a 16-point fourth quarter Tuesday against New York.

Bynum had two points on one-for-four shooting and seemingly was caught up in the shooting woes of the rest of the team. The Lakers approached a team record by making only 26 of 85 shots (30.6%) in a 105-79 loss.

Jackson was asked before the game if Bynum’s seven-for-seven shooting effort against the Knicks would lead to more playing time.

The short answer -- no.

“Offensively, he’s coming along fine,” Jackson said. “The rest of his game is what he has to learn -- defense, rebounding, transition defense, screen-and-roll, and how to play things away from the basket. But he’s coming along. We’re really pleased with him.”

Jackson noted a possession against the Knicks in which Bynum started in the post but got pushed out and “ended up at the three-point line.”

“He’s not quite strong enough to hold that block,” Jackson said. “But he’s learning that process.”

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The Lakers were one of many teams that talked with the Pacers about acquiring Ron Artest but were not a finalist to acquire him.

“I don’t think we were ever in the beauty contest,” Jackson said.

Bryant spoke with Artest a couple of times before the Pacers traded him to Sacramento for Peja Stojakovic.

“We would have played well together,” Bryant said. “He’s a player who plays with a lot of passion and plays with a lot of heart.”