Radmanovic can’t give them much of a hand

In other Lakers injury news ...

Vladimir Radmanovic, the team’s signature free-agent signee during the off-season, took his spot on the court with a small sponge wedged between the pinkie and ring finger of his right hand.

Retained by the Lakers for his shooting skills, Radmanovic has been bothered by a sprained ligament in between the two fingers and shot only 27.8% in exhibition play. He scored eight points in the season opener Tuesday against Phoenix, making four of seven shots in a reserve role.

He has few options at this point. He could have the fingers splinted together, which would sideline him two to three weeks. Or, more drastically, he could opt for surgery, which would cost him 10 to 12 weeks.

He probably will have the surgery after the season, but, for now, has to think beyond a shooter’s role as he plays through the soreness.

“Even if my shot isn’t going to be there, I’ll do other things,� he said. “Be more aggressive on both ends of the floor, go for offensive rebounds.�

Radmanovic has never been much of a rebounder despite his 6-foot-10 height -- he averages 4.6 a game in his career -- but the Lakers have been pleasantly surprised with his defense.

Off the court, Radmanovic hasn’t liked being hands-free. He is now forced to shake hands with his left.

“It’s a little embarrassing,� he said. “People look at me like, ‘What’s wrong with him?’ �

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Bad news for the Lakers: Kobe Bryant will miss at least the first two games.

Good news for the Lakers: His rapport with Coach Phil Jackson and team owner Jerry Buss has apparently never been better.

Buss, in a recent interview, called his relationship with Bryant “closer now than it has ever been.�

“It’s now to a level of, ‘When can we have lunch together again?’ � Buss said. “He’s a very cordial guy. He’s not as withdrawn as he was in the beginning. It’s fun to be around him now. He talks a lot of basketball. It’s fun to listen to him ... it’s fun to see him so much more talkative and outgoing. I like that.�

Buss also likes Bryant’s evolving relationship with Jackson.

“I’m very pleased with the total closeness of Phil and Kobe right now,� Buss said. “That’s a beauty to watch in practice. I think that will carry over into the season.�

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As part of their “Lights Out� promotion, the Lakers lowered lighting trusses to flood the court at Staples Center with more light, reminiscent of the way it used to look for games at the Forum.

The team has not decided whether to employ the effect for all home games, but the recent talk of the Forum might have been one of the triggers that reminded Buss of the old days.

“I still miss the Forum,� he said. “People come up and ask me about that all the time: ‘Wouldn’t you like to play a couple games at the Forum?’ In fact, I think maybe next year I’ll look into that, play an exhibition game at the Forum.�

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Brian Cook signed a two-year contract extension with a player option for a third season.

Cook, in his fourth season, averaged career-highs of 7.9 points and 3.4 rebounds last season.

“I feel like I had been loyal to the Lakers and now I have some job security,� he said.

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

KEYS TO THE GAME

* Luke Walton’s layup with 10:48 left in the third quarter gave the Lakers a 59-58 lead, officially wiping out what had been a 19-point Suns lead.

* Lamar Odom’s three-point play -- a layup and free throw after a blocking foul on James Jones -- put the Lakers comfortably ahead, 94-81, with 10:43 left in the third quarter.

* Andrew Bynum’s 11-footer in the key gave the Lakers a 112-103 lead with 1:06 left to play, ending a mini-run by the Suns and, effectively, the game.

-- Mike Bresnahan