Walton Finds His Game on Trip

Whenever Laker Coach Phil Jackson looks down the bench, he sees Devean George, Sasha Vujacic, Jim Jackson and a bunch of rookies.

And Luke Walton.

A forgotten piece for most of the season, Walton has risen with the rest of the team, choosing a worthy time to rediscover his all-around game and logging 54 minutes in the Lakers’ two biggest road victories of the season.

He had gone 30 games without scoring in double figures and his outside shot had been amiss until he scored 13 points and took 10 rebounds Friday against San Antonio. Walton also reclaimed some of his creative flair with four assists Wednesday against New Orleans.

“I think I’m just more relaxed out there,” he said. “When I started playing bad out there earlier in the season, I started pressing and thinking about stuff all the time instead of just playing. I’ve been playing this game since I was 8 years old -- quit thinking so much about it. The last couple games, I felt comfortable out there helping the team win.”

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Kwame Brown turned 24 on Friday, almost three-fourths of the way through a fifth NBA season in which he has established a fair reputation as a post defender but continues to short-circuit offensively.

“He’s in his learner phase,” Jackson said. “We marvel sometimes at his game. He plays great in moments and other moments he’ll miss a shot you think that no one can miss. He has great reactions at times and other times he looks like he’s nailed to the floor. It’s a consistency we’re looking for out of his performance, but we know that the ingredients are there.”

Brown had 10 points against San Antonio, making all four of his shots, but Jackson said to hold off on his coronation as an offensive threat.

“I don’t think it’s going to be an overnight sensation, that the angel is going to strike him and he is going to suddenly be doing things that make all the difference in the world,” Jackson said. “I think it is a gradual process that he’s going to develop.

“First, he has to receive the ball. Then he has to have balance and a foundation to shoot the ball from. Those are two things that require poise, not anxiety that goes along with catching and getting the shot off quickly and having to do something spectacular.”

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TODAY

vs. Seattle, 12:30 p.m., Ch. 7

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 570, 1330.

Records -- Lakers 33-30; SuperSonics 24-38.

Record vs. SuperSonics -- 1-0.

Update -- The SuperSonics are 9-22 on the road and lost to the Lakers, 108-96, at Staples Center in November.