LOS ANGELES – If Kobe Bryant still wants to get traded to Chicago, he might want to keep in mind that he’d be leaving behind a pretty accomplished head coach.
The Lakers’ 106-78 victory over the Bulls on Sunday night at Staples Center was the latest testament to Phil Jackson’s managerial touch. The Bulls dropped to 2-7, with Scott Skiles’ team having openly acknowledged trouble dealing with the distractions of Bryant trade rumors. Jackson believes his 6-3 Lakers have left that unlucky charm in the preseason.
Seven Lakers had at least nine points, led by Bryant’s 18. It was the worst loss ever by the Bulls to the Lakers.
NOTES
Kwame Brown suffered a moderate sprain of his left ankle and a moderate sprain of his left knee on the same first-quarter play when Ben Wallace rolled into Brown’s leg; X-rays were negative. Brown had reconstructive surgery on that ankle May 29. … Brian Cook started his second consecutive game in place of Ronny Turiaf and didn’t fare well despite Chicago using point guard Kirk Hinrich (six inches shorter than Cook) to guard him.
KEY STAT
The Lakers, who lost their season opener at Staples Center to Houston largely because of free-throw misses, made 26 of 29 attempts (89.7 percent).
SEEN
The left-handed Odom has vowed to use his right hand more this season and did so to draw a fast-break foul with 3:53 left in the third quarter … but he’d missed two previous scoring opportunities in the game by using his left hand on the right side of the hoop.
THOUGHT
Turiaf believes he will be able to play the Lakers’ next game after being close to playing on his sprained ankle Sunday night.
NEXT
Lakers at Indiana, Tuesday, 4 p.m., KCAL/9 (5:30 p.m. telecast), KLAC/570
