Bryant would like to see Pippen join the Lakers

With Scottie Pippen announcing he wants to make a comeback at 41, Kobe Bryant announced he’ll try to persuade him to do it as a Laker.

“He was in camp with us last season, and he looked like he was in great shape,” said Bryant at Friday’s All-Star media session. “I’m going to tell him there’s a place in the triangle for him.”

Pippen retired after going on the injured list as a Bull in February 2004. Two days ago he told two Chicago writers that he wants to play again.

A Lakers official said it was too early to comment. However, with rookie Jordan Farmar in the rotation, the team has been looking for a veteran guard.

Coach Phil Jackson has a demonstrated preference for his former players, as when he installed 35-year-old Ron Harper as his starting point guard in 1999, so the Lakers are expected to at least check it out.

Pippen won six NBA titles with the Bulls while playing alongside Michael Jordan, and was a member of two U.S. Olympic teams that won gold medals.

In 17 seasons with Chicago, Houston and Portland, Pippen averaged 16.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists.

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Bryant was pleased to learn that Jackson is among 15 finalists for the Basketball Hall of Fame.

“He’s more than deserving,” Bryant said. “He’s the greatest coach of all time, in my opinion.”

Said Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak: “I couldn’t be more happy and proud to have been able to work with him. Well-deserved.”

With nine NBA titles, Jackson, who played forward for the New York Knicks, is the most successful coach of his generation. He led the Bulls to six championships and the Lakers to three in his first stint with the team.

A 24-member committee will vote on the final selection; finalists need 18 votes for enshrinement. The 2007 class is scheduled to be announced April 2 at the Final Four in Atlanta. The induction ceremony is planned for Sept. 7 in Springfield, Mass.

Jackson was joined by former players Chris Mullin, Adrian Dantley and Richie Guerin; coaches Roy Williams, Eddie Sutton and Bob Hurley Sr.; owner Bill Davidson; former coach and current analyst Dick Vitale; and the 1966 Texas Western NCAA championship team.

Referee Mendy Rudolph, Yugoslavian coach Mirko Novosel, Spanish coach Pedro Ferrandiz and former U.S. women’s basketball coaches Van Chancellor and Harley Redin also were selected by the four committees that nominate finalists.

Jackson should be among this year’s inductees, Bryant said.

“Look at his accomplishments,” Bryant said. “What he’s been able to do by optimizing the talent that he has on his team, all the records that he’s set, it’s an absolute no-brainer.”

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Farmar’s first All-Star experience left him wanting more.

The Lakers rookie guard enjoyed the rookie-sophomore game, although the sophomores won in a rout, 155-114, in front of 15,694 at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Farmar scored 12 points and Lakers center Andrew Bynum had seven points and four rebounds for the sophomore team.

But being a part of the All-Star weekend was the best part for Farmar, who says he’s determined to join in the fun often in his career.

“This is special,” he said. “You feel just like any other All-Star with the way they treat you and take care of you. You’re here, everything is paid for, so it definitely feels good to be part of this weekend. It gives you something to look forward to.”

The sophomores shot 74.7% from the field, the rookies 52.2%.

For the sophomores, forward David Lee of the New York Knicks was 14 for 14 and scored 30 points. Point guard Chris Paul of New Orleans Hornets had 17 assists.

Bynum took only four shots but had a blast in the blowout.

“I’m going to keep developing my body and developing my skills,” he said. “I’m going to try to go out there and be an All-Star in the next couple of years.”

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The Clippers are among the teams without a representative at the All-Star game, and it seems they’ll resume their schedule without veteran swingman Doug Christie.

Christie, who signed a second 10-day contract Feb. 11, has decided not to return to the team after the break, according to Christie’s publicist.

“It wasn’t a perfect fit,” Howard Bragman said in a phone interview. “The reason you have these types of contracts is to see if you like them, they like you and if it all makes sense. It’s just not the right situation.”

General Manager Elgin Baylor and Coach Mike Dunleavy could not be reached for comment.

Christie’s contract would have expired Tuesday, and the Clippers had not decided whether to sign him for the remainder of the season.

In six games, Christie, who turns 37 in May, averaged 2.2 points and shot 29.4% from the field.

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Times staff writer Mike Bresnahan contributed to this report.

mark.heisler@latimes.com

jason.reid@latimes.com