In odd twist, Phil plays to camera, Manny hides from it

I began the day talking to Manny, who called from his hideaway, but right now I’m more concerned about Phil and wondering if Jeanie is becoming a distraction.

Check out lakers.com under Jeanie’s Journal, the latest installment of Jeanie Vision with Phil’s squeeze pointing a video camera in the coach’s face every time he drives to Staples Center.

The guy is actually mugging for the camera, later staying up late after every home game so she can interview him again, and at a time when he really needs his rest.

Do you think it’s really safe to be looking into a video camera when your eyes should be on the highway?

“She’s actually sitting in my lap as I’m driving,” Jackson says during his pre-game news conference, and he does so with almost a hint of personality.

He tells Jeanie on their ride together that Lamar Odom is the key to this series, while also expressing concern about the energy the Lakers had to expend in winning Game 1.

State secrets mean nothing to the guy when trying to impress his girlfriend.

When I ask him about energy, he says, “Ask Obama. He has carbon credits for that kind of stuff.”

We all know he’s a little strange, but right now he’s so relaxed, almost funny. It’s a change of pace as these playoffs progress, so maybe he already knows the Nuggets gave it their best shot in Game 1, and now it’s on to either Cleveland or Orlando.

Jeanie certainly doesn’t seem concerned with the Nuggets.

“Shaun Phillips from SD Chargers just spilled nacho cheese on my girlfriend,” she tweets in the first half. “Thank goodness Linda Rambis has Wet Wipes in her purse.”

And here we go, the Lakers up by 14 in the second quarter, Denver Coach George Karl looking as forlorn as he did the other night after Game 1, and the Nuggets are just waiting for the Lakers to put them out of their misery. And waiting.

Still waiting.

Any time now, guys. How about now? Two minutes to go and it’s 99-99 in a game that should have been over long ago. Are you kidding me? Killer instinct. Ever hear of it?

But you know the Lakers, or this year’s up-and-down version. They can be so frustrating, which brings me to Manny, who is just as frustrating. More on the Lakers in a moment.

If Manny has his way, after the Lakers beat the Nuggets in seven, he’d have them going on to nip Cleveland in seven, while calling for an immediate Kobe-LeBron rematch so he could remain out of the spotlight that much longer. He’s caught such a break with the Lakers hogging local attention.

He’s such a disappointment, more so each day that he remains hidden in the hole that he dug for himself.

Sent a text to him after reading Dylan Hernandez’s disturbing story in The Times on Thursday morning that Manny not only remains mum but will probably not explain why he went stupid.

“You’ve lost me,” I texted, “no reason, I guess, why I should be different than anyone else.”

Two minutes later Manny called. “I’m not in hiding,” he said, and if he can’t admit the obvious, it doesn’t bode well for full disclosure of any sort.

“I’m not ready,” he said, but for what?

Everyone can understand the embarrassment and the urge to disappear after going stupid and disappointing so many new fans in L.A., while at the same time energizing old enemies elsewhere.

That was two weeks ago, the people in L.A. giving Manny every benefit of the doubt when he was traded here, but deserving something in return now. It is one thing to let folks down, quite another to keep doing it.

He’s turning out to be the guy that everyone said he was in Boston, his own fault as he turns his back on L.A.

He should be in uniform with the Dodgers for batting practice. He should be helping the young players as he did before going stupid. Much of this could already be behind him.

We already know there aren’t going to be any significant revelations, Dodgers owner Frank McCourt setting the stage when he said he’s not interested on dwelling in the past.

That is baseball’s way of saying, spare us the messy details, just say you are sorry and let’s get back to playing the game as if nothing happened.

No one is really calling for a full confession; it’s unrealistic. Those familiar with baseball’s drug policy said if Manny reveals any drug violations that took place after 2004 beyond the one he’s already been caught, he might be subject to further penalties.

He owes an explanation for his 50-game suspension and if it’s steroids, he needs to say so, knowing he cannot be punished further. If it’s steroids, and he doesn’t say so, anything else he has to say should be ignored.

He will be here for the rest of this season, and most likely next season. The quicker he returns, the quicker the emphasis on his fun-loving personality than the drugs he’s been using.

He received a fresh start when he came to L.A., and knowing baseball fans, they will be quick to forgive if they feel they are getting it straight from Manny.

But right now he’s on the run, and therefore leaving everyone behind who wants to give him the benefit of the doubt or a second chance.

On a bright note, though, Manny might very well get his seven-game series, the Lakers once again failing to step on an opponent when given the chance.

The Lakers have not only allowed the Nuggets back into the series, but have sent a message to Denver fans the Lakers can be beaten.

“I think this team knows what it takes, what it means to play hard and play with passion,” said Karl, and as you know, Jackson cannot always say the same.

I wonder what he has to say to Jeanie about that.

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t.j.simers@latimes.com