Shaq-Kobe Rift Elicits Many Solutions

The saga of Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, one playing very well and the other grinding through injuries to both ankles, has flattened some.

O’Neal’s focus appears to be on pushing to the rim, on his free throws, on regenerating his defensive ferocity and building his strength for the playoffs.

Bryant spends hours on the trainers’ table, Gary Vitti working capably near his ankles, which require constant attention.

Phil Jackson, however, continues to consider their relationship, because he is constantly reminded of it--if not in his twice-daily meetings with reporters on game days (and the topic is dying even there), then in the questions and solutions that still stuff his mailbox.

“I’ve had two dozen psychologists, mediators, counselors, Scientologists, you name it, approach me on trying to heal the rifts, the schism, between these two,� Jackson said Saturday. “It’s interesting the approaches they all take.

“For the most part, they talked about trying to keep both parties from talking to other people, or having other people talk against the party that’s on the other side. Well, you guys are witness to some of that stuff. Then [they say] try to make sure that the parties understand that the other’s personality is something that will not change, and other people have a right to remain an individual. So, that’s where we are.�

Jackson shrugged.

“We work with them,� he said. “The reason why the players are here is because of great wills. They are determined. That determination is a positive thing. If it’s overbalanced, it could be a negative thing. So, you get through that and understand they are both young men who are working through a situation. We give them credit for it.�

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A mechanical malfunction forced the Laker charter back to Los Angeles on Friday, 20 minutes after leaving LAX for Vancouver.

Upon returning, the jet sat on the Tarmac for four hours. Some players actually slipped away for fast-food runs. And, the airplane never was fixed.

The club eventually secured a jet previously chartered by the Sacramento Kings. The Lakers arrived at their hotel at 10 p.m.

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O’Neal, on the need for defense: “We’re not going to beat anybody by outscoring them. We’ve got to outsmart them. We’re like a young Utah [Jazz].� . . . Isaiah “J.R.� Rider played about three minutes of the second quarter with his shorts on backward. Notified at the first timeout, Rider grinned and turned them.

TONIGHT

vs. Golden State

6:30, Fox Sports Net

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KLAC (570).

* Records--Lakers 38-19, Warriors 16-43.

* Record vs. Warriors--1-1.

* Update--Antawn Jamison and Kobe Bryant each scored 51 points in the Warriors’ 125-122 overtime victory Dec. 6 at Oakland. The Warriors are 10-30 since. Jamison has led them in scoring in 35 of those 40 games. Warrior forward Larry Hughes has made one of his last 18 three-point attempts. Mookie Blaylock is on pace to become the first player to average two steals for 11 consecutive seasons.

* Tickets--(800) 462-2849.