Jackson Focuses on Guards

Though the Lakers rebounded from a recent slide to win their last two games, including Monday’s comeback victory over Denver, Coach Phil Jackson said he has not been pleased with the precision of the Laker offense and the leadership of his guards within it.

“I had a very difficult practice today,” Jackson said after Tuesday’s workout at L.A. Southwest College. “I was coarse and I was demonstrative in what I wanted this team to do. . . .

“So I’m asking for more concentration, more focus from this team and a better direction, an idea . . . that conceptual thing that’s going on there between me, the guards and the rest of the team as we go through a game that’s still lacking.

“You know, Ronnie Harper can get a lot of that accomplished. But right now, Ron’s not running on both legs in quite the same way. So we lack that knowledge.”

At the same time, Kobe Bryant’s assist totals have jumped--in the last three games, he has 28 assists, lifting his team-leading average to 4.3 a game.

“I think he’s shooting the ball well from the outside, and that helps,” Jackson said, suggesting that defenders can’t lay off Bryant and clog the pass lanes.

Many of those assists recently have come on quick passes from the wing inside to Shaquille O’Neal, and Bryant said the two are feeling comfortable working the same side of the floor together.

“We’ve been playing with each other for a while now,” Bryant said. “I know what he likes, I know where he likes to catch the ball. He understands me a lot better. So . . . it’s difficult to guard us when we’re on the same side.”

TONIGHT

vs. Minnesota

7:30, Fox Sports Net

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KLAC (570).

* Records--Lakers 36-11, Timberwolves 27-18.

* Record vs. Timberwolves--2-0.

* Update--Even with point guard Terrell Brandon sitting out the last four games because of a sprained ankle, the Timberwolves are 20-5 since mid-December and are threatening to move into the top tier of Western Conference playoff positions.

* Tickets--(213) 480-3232.