EL SEGUNDO — Win or lose, this will be the Lakers’ last trip to Salt Lake City for awhile, which is just fine to them. Phil Jackson complained about the noise level there in advance of the team’s Game 6 trip: “I’m almost pretty sure it’s over the safety limits.”
Jackson noted the “pyrotechnics” used in EnergySolutions Arena only add to his ears ringing long after the games end there.
One more thing that Jackson did not mention: After the Lakers lost Game 3 there, a Jazz fan got in Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak’s face and hooted in celebration a statement that began with three words: “We kicked your …”
The Lakers would love to end on a high note Friday night. To do so, they’ll hope for good health from Kobe Bryant and that problem area just above his waist on the right side.
“He seems to be OK,” Jackson said. “I think his back stiffened up in the fourth quarter, but he’s OK.”
