Season’s Greetings

Robert Horry will be the Lakers’ starting power forward, at least for tonight. Congratulations.

And condolences.

“It’s unfortunate to have to start out this way,� he said Thursday, smiling.

It could be worse. Well, no, actually it couldn’t.

The monthlong battle with Elden Campbell for the starting job at power forward, the only real intrigue of training camp, has at least temporarily become a moot point because Campbell will open at center tonight at the Forum as Shaquille O’Neal continues to nurse the strained abdominal muscle that also cost him the final three exhibitions. Horry gets the call tonight--and also probably gets Karl Malone.

This is winning a spot? Imagine second place.

Malone, 34, is coming off his most-valuable-player season, having checked in at training camp in condition that would make a 24-year-old proud, so good it gave him every right to criticize those Utah Jazz teammates who arrived out of shape for the first step in the defense of the Western Conference title. Even at this stage of his career, he remains the prototypal power forward, a dominant low-post scorer who has also developed a very dependable perimeter game opposing teams must respect.

But Thursday in Salt Lake City, in the Jazz’s final tuneup, he also developed an injury, significant for a player of his stature but shocking for a player of his stamina. Malone has played in 467 consecutive games, the fourth-longest active run in the league, and will be a game-time decision because of a problem with a tendon in the middle finger of the right hand.

With John Stockton already out because of a knee injury, ending an even longer ironman streak, it’s hard to imagine a Jazz game without both Pick and Roll in uniform.

Horry, of course, will be ready for Malone tonight, even if that comes while hoping the preparation goes to waste. The Lakers would go with this lineup no matter the opponent, so they’ll push ahead along the same lines, no matter the matchup at power forward.

Horry doesn’t think he’ll end up as the full-time starter there. The majority of his first exhibition tour with the Lakers was at power forward, though partly because of the injury to O’Neal and the two games Campbell missed for personal business.

“Robert’s been around,� Coach Del Harris said. “Robert’s a pro. Robert’s one of the best defensive players, he’s got two rings, and he just knows how to play, period. He’s an outstanding defender.�

One of those rings, in 1995 while a Houston Rocket, came largely because Horry was moved to power forward, a matchup the Orlando Magic couldn’t counter in what became a stunning four-game sweep. His three-point range forced Horace Grant, who was supposed to dominate because of superior skills as a rebounder and interior defender, outside and away from the basket.

Horry either made shots or pulled Grant away from them. The same thinking will be at work tonight at the Forum.

“Just trying to make him run more,� Horry said of Malone. “Make him use a lot of energy.�

The problem comes at the other end. Horry is a good shot blocker for a small forward, but this step up in weight class means he’ll be giving away about 25 pounds to Malone and his power game, if Malone plays. Being 6-10, and stronger than last season thanks to an off-season weightlifting regimen, will help.

The reinforcements will be ready. Campbell could also get time against Malone, when Sean Rooks comes off the bench to play center. Likewise Corie Blount, who never got much chance to contribute in the Lakers’ second-round playoff loss to the Jazz because he was just returning from a shoulder injury.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

1997-1998 GAME 1

LOS ANGELES LAKERS VS UTAH JAZZ

NOVEMBER 1, 1997, 7:30 P.M.

ON THE AIR

TV: FOX SPORTS WEST

Radio: KLAC (570)