Jackson May Take Ball Out of Bryant’s Hands

Noting that several of Kobe Bryant’s recent turnovers have occurred when he was being counted on to work the clock before going to the hoop in end-of-quarter or end-of-shot-clock situations, Coach Phil Jackson said he may alter that strategy for now.

“It’s obvious, I’ve put a lot of responsibility on him, because he’s a creative player and also a very talented player,” Jackson said after Friday’s practice.

“He fully understands the role. But I think he doesn’t quite grasp the severity of the situation, the responsibility of the whole situation. . . . “

Several times, against Sacramento on Wednesday and Washington on Tuesday, Bryant--who came back five games ago from a broken hand--went to the hoop but was forced into an error that led to a key opponent basket.

“We’ll have to readjust that thinking a little bit, wait until Kobe braces the season enough to have that experience to handle those situations,” Jackson said. “I might’ve been a little too hasty there to put him in that situation.”

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Rookie Devean George was activated from the injured list to take the roster spot of forward Travis Knight, who aggravated his sore right ankle and was put on the injured list. Knight was averaging only 0.7 points and 1.6 rebounds.

TODAY

at Vancouver, noon, Ch. 9

* Site--GM Place.

* Radio--KLAC 570.

* Records--Lakers, 15-5; Grizzlies, 4-15.

* Record vs. Grizzlies--1-0.

* Update--The Grizzlies, who beat the Lakers in their only meeting last season at Vancouver, had a relatively strong 1-2 Texas trip, including a tough loss Thursday at San Antonio, where the Spurs needed 42 points from Tim Duncan to squeeze out the victory.