Sunday, September 30, 2001
[ PRO BASKETBALL ]
Phil Jackson is no stranger to doing things in threes. Champions back in town
By Grace Wen
gwen@starbulletin.comThe Lakers coach guided the Chicago Bulls twice to three-peats (1991-1993 and 1996-1998) and now Jackson is poised for a possible third three-peat as Los Angeles opened fall training camp yesterday at the Stan Sheriff Center.
But Jackson's triangle offense was missing two of its three main parts with Shaquille O'Neal out for at least another month with a toe injury, and Kobe Bryant flying to Philadelphia for his grandfather's funeral. Bryant is expected to return Thursday afternoon. It is uncertain whether or not he will practice that day.
O'Neal practiced a few free throws but spent most of practice watching. Jackson, however, wasn't all that concerned about who wasn't there.
"Camp is not really for those guys as much as it is for the players who are new to our system, who we're trying out to see if they can help our team," Jackson said. "There are players we hope to get some experience. We're not concerned about those two guys."
Derek Fisher, another Laker sidelined with a foot injury, added that being at camp helps the players come together after a summer apart.
"We still have our core group of guys who have been here for awhile," Fisher said. "These first few practices are to reconnect the group so we can get a feel for each other as people and as players.
"Obviously we'll be spending most of our hours inside but you can't ask for a more beautiful place ... to get a chance to do some work but also be in a place that when you aren't working allows you to relax and clear your mind. This is kind of like a second home for us."
It is the first time since 1998 that the Lakers have returned to the islands. They were originally going to play Golden State in Japan but in light of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington D.C., the NBA has decided that no games be played outside of the United States.
The Lakers open exhibition play in Hawaii with a game against the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 7 and play again on Oct. 9.