Bryant Playing Three Positions

Friday’s decision by the Lakers to activate swingman Shea Seals rather than sign an available point guard to at least a 10-day contract to replace the injured Nick Van Exel means the toughest test yet for the versatility of Kobe Bryant.

Suddenly, he’s the backup to both Derek Fisher at the point and Eddie Jones at shooting guard, hardly unusual even for this team since since it’s the same role Sedale Threatt had a few years back. Except that Bryant also the backup small forward when Coach Del Harris goes with his quick lineup, even if the minutes there have lessened recently in favor of Robert Horry.

Three positions. One 19-year-old.

“He likes that, though,” Harris said. “It’s really not a problem totally because he likes it and he is bright. But it does add to his burden, trying to develop as a young player while playing three positions.”

Bryant being Bryant, added burdens are considered something akin to slow-foot defenders. That is, he figures it’s nothing he can’t blow past with minimal effort.

“At point guard, I feel very comfortable,” he said. “When I have the ball in my hands, when I get the basketball, I feel there’s nothing you can do to knock me off my game.”

Of course, there’s also the problems that come when he has his hands on the ball. After an improved assist-to-turnover ratio of late, to where Harris was feeling very encouraged, Bryant had six turnovers Wednesday at Indiana. He also had three fouls--all on offense.

TODAY

at New York

* 10 a.m.

PST

* Channel 4

Site--Madison Square Garden.

Radio--KLAC (570).

Records--Lakers 39-16, Knicks 32-23.

Record vs. Knicks--1-0.

Update--Shaquille O’Neal is coming off a 35-point game Friday at Minnesota and faces a team playing two power forwards at center, Charles Oakley and Terry Cummings. This comes as Patrick Ewing is out for the season, Chris Dudley might be and another big man, Buck Williams, is also on the injured list. This marks the Lakers’ fourth appearance on national television--either NBC, TNT or TBS--in the last five games.