Devin Ebanks gets another brief opportunity against Clippers

So, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson, how do you feel about rookies such as Devin Ebanks?

“They are lower than whale [mess],” Jackson said, smiling. “Sometimes they don’t quite know how to play this [NBA] game. They know how to play the game, but not this game and how to use the clock in the right way.”

Jackson played Ebanks six minutes 37 seconds against the Clippers in the Lakers’ 108-95 victory Friday night at Staples Center, and his 6-foot-9 rookie small forward responded with four points.

A few seconds after offering his initial assessment, Jackson conceded that “we like” Ebanks.

Ebanks has heard it all before from Jackson.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, he shared that with us,” Ebank said, smiling. “But I think he definitely does like me and DC [Derrick Caracter]. He sees that we’re growing. He knows that it’s a process.”

Ebanks was two for five from the field, getting both of his baskets off lobs.

Jackson was asked if he liked the way Ebanks played.

“No, I told him he shot the ball too much,” Jackson said, half smiling.

Ebanks has played in 20 games this season and is averaging 3.1 points.

“It’s coming along,” he said. “I’m just staying ready and learning. I’ve got great players ahead of me, so I just keep watching and learning so I can grow.”

Ebanks barely scored on his second lob from Steve Blake.

Ebanks said he thought Blake was going to throw the ball off the backboard, so he slowed down.

“Then I saw that he threw it up in the air so I had to catch up to it,” Ebanks said. “It was good that I caught it and it went in.”

Ebanks plays behind Ron Artest, Luke Walton and even Kobe Bryant at times.

He deals with his lack of playing time.

“I definitely understand, but naturally as a player I want to be out there,” Ebanks said. “But I just want to be ready when I get my chance. I just try to stay within the offense.”

broderick.turner@latimes.com

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