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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, October 8, 2003

Lakers power past Warriors

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

Laker Shaquille O'Neal loses control of a rebound while being challenged by Warrior Mike Dunleavy.

Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

With or without Kobe Bryant, these Los Angeles Lakers should be pretty good.

At least that appeared to be the indication last night as the Lakers defeated the Golden State Warriors, 107-89, in an exhibition game at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Much to the delight of a sellout crowd of 10,300, the Lakers' three active superstars — Shaquille O'Neal, Karl Malone and Gary Payton — proved their Hall of Fame worth despite playing less than half the game.

"We're not going to base the season on what we do in the preseason," Los Angeles head coach Phil Jackson said. "I thought there were some significant things we wanted to do with the ball at certain times just to give them something else to do. But it was just pure basic basketball — triangle (offense) and running the ball up the court and rebounding and playing defense."

O'Neal led the Lakers with 16 points, including 14 on 6-of-6 shooting during a dominating stretch in the third quarter. Payton and Malone — making their Lakers' debuts after signing as free agents in July — scored 12 and seven, respectively.

Payton also contributed a team-high seven assists, while Malone added three rebounds and three assists.

"It was OK," Jackson said of the performance of the new Lakers. "We have the key aspects of what we're trying to do and guys are starting to get it. Now it's the skill level and fundamental level that takes the next step."

Laker Karl Malone stuffs two of his seven points.

Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Jackson said he was particularly pleased with the Lakers' passing. Led by new point guard Payton, the Lakers finished with 29 assists to Golden State's 16.

Bryant, the Lakers' other star who is facing felony sexual assault charges in Colorado, did not play last night because he is still recovering from off-season surgery on his right knee. He was sighted near the locker room area during last night's game, but never appeared in view of the crowd.

Bryant must appear in court in Eagle, Colo., tomorrow for a preliminary hearing on the case. He will not play again tonight, when the teams conclude their training camps in Hawai'i with another exhibition game at 6 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center.

In Bryant's absence, O'Neal was the crowd favorite. The 7-foot-1 all-star center received rousing ovations for his two powerful dunks, and drew oohs and aahs when he dribbled downcourt to lead a fastbreak, even though he eventually passed the ball out of bounds.

"It's good to play with (Malone and Payton), they're legends, they're future Hall of Famers," O'Neal said. "We're all here to do one thing and that's just win. We had a couple days of practice. We looked pretty good in practice and we looked pretty good tonight."

Malone and Payton combined for eight points during a 14-0 surge that turned a 15-10 deficit into a 24-15 lead for the Lakers with 3:30 remaining in the first quarter.

Payton, Malone and O'Neal played most of the first quarter but then sat out the rest of the half.

Derek Fisher, who started in place of Bryant, had eight points at the end of the opening quarter to help give the Lakers a 34-27 advantage. Fisher finished with 10 points and was one of five Lakers in double-figures.

Laker Gary Payton, right, defends Warrior Jason Richardson.

Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

The Laker reserves, led by Stanislav Medvedenko and Jannero Pargo, increased the lead to as much as 48-31 midway through the second quarter. Medvedenko scored 12 points on 6-of-6 shooting in the first half, while Pargo contributed eight points on 4-of-6 shooting. They both finished the game with 14 points.

Golden State responded with a 15-2 run to get as close as 50-46 late in the first half. Fisher returned late in the second quarter and scored on a layup with 30 seconds remaining to give the Lakers a 52-46 advantage at halftime.

Jason Richardson, Golden State's high-jumping shooting guard, had 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting in the first half. He shot just 1 of 5 in the second half, but still finished with a game-high 20 points.

Clifford Robinson added 15 for the Warriors, while Mike Dunleavy had 11 and Erick Dampier 10.

O'Neal took over the third quarter, scoring 14 points. He also made both his free-throw attempts in the quarter to spur another ovation from the crowd. During one two-minute stretch, O'Neal scored eight points — including a powerful drive to the basket and slam dunk — and blocked a shot by Dunleavy into the stands.

"It's always fun to see the big guy out there having a good time playing basketball," Jackson said. "I think it's infectious."

By the end of the third quarter, the Lakers built the lead to 81-68, and the stars took the rest of the night off.

Both teams used their extended rosters in the fourth quarter, and the Warriors were never able to get closer than 14.

Brian Cook, the Lakers' first-round draft pick, had three points and two rebounds in his professional debut. Luke Walton, a second-round pick, had four points, including a slam dunk that had the crowd chanting "Luuuke" in the closing seconds.

NOTES: Approximately 100 tickets remain for tonight's 6 p.m. game at the Stan Sheriff Center. Tickets can be purchased at the Stan Sheriff Center box office, or by calling 944-BOWS. ... The Warriors waived rookie free agents Josh Asselin and Derrick Zimmerman prior to last night's game.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8101.