Parker searching for some 'mojo'

BY ROSS SILER, Staff Writer

EL SEGUNDO - As he talked with his cousin after Friday night's game, Lakers guard Smush Parker realized something was missing.

"I don't have my mojo right now," Parker said. "He said the same thing during the game. My offense is off. My defense is off. I've just got to get my mojo back."

The contrast between the start of this season and lastseason has been striking for Parker, who scored 20 points or more in three of the Lakers' firstfourgames last season. He is averaging 8.1 points so far this season and shooting 36.4percent.

Parker had all the incentive to have a good game Friday against Detroit, the team that released him in January 2005. Instead, Parker finished with 5points on 2-of-7 shooting and had three turnovers.

In the first quarter, Parker made just one of four 3-pointers and threw a pass so wildly on the fast break that Lakers coach Phil Jackson fell out of his seat yelling for Jordan Farmar to replace him.

Parker got caught between hands going up for a layup. He tried to use his right hand from the left side of the basket and missed. That was one example he cited Saturday in saying, "Everything is off."

Jackson was asked how Parker could get back on track. It was something Parker never was able to do in the Lakers' first-round playoff series against Phoenix last season.

"I have no idea," Jackson said. "One of my coaches was saying, last year at this time Smush had like 10 dunks and eight steals and no turnovers in the first so many games. He (got) going really quick. This year, people are ready or whatever it is. He's just not in the rhythm of the game right now."

Parker said one reason he is struggling is because he did not play in an NBA summer league for the first time in his career. It was not necessary for him to do so after starting all 82 games for the Lakers lastseason.

"This summer, I didn't play any ball," Parker said. "I couldn't find anywhere to play. I was here half the summer by myself working out, just doing individual work, so I didn't get the chance to run any."

Jackson noted that Parker was able to succeed last season because his offense fed off his defense. He ranked 12th in the league in steals, averaging 1.71 a game, but has only sixsteals in seven games this season.

Although he sat Parker the final 15 minutes of Friday's game in favor of Farmar, Jackson said he was not inclined to make a change in the starting lineup.

"We just have to stay solid here for a little bit and see how it plays out," Jackson said. "It's too early to pull the plug on anything."

Strong enough: Kobe Bryant estimated Saturday that he is playing at 70 percent on his surgically repaired right knee. Bryant guessed that after taking fourdays next week to strengthen the knee, he could be at about 95 percent.

"Four days makes a big difference," Bryant said. "I've had huge leaps in two days."
Bryant said he would know his knee was all the way back when he was able to turn and go after coming down with a rebound.

Also: Center Kwame Brown went through practice Saturday with his injured right shoulder and will be a game-time decision tonight.

Brown still plans to see a doctor about the shoulder Monday

ross.siler@dailynews.com

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