Fastbreak Isn’t Run-of-the-Mill

It’s becoming apparent that Gary Payton and Karl Malone have brought more to the Lakers than stability and talent.

They have also helped revive a staple of the 1980s -- the fastbreak.

Even when they won three consecutive NBA championships under Phil Jackson, from 2000 to 2002, the Lakers primarily walked the ball up the court and used up as much of the 24-second clock as possible. Some of that had to do with personnel; Jackson was fond of veteran players whose running days were behind them. And center Shaquille O’Neal operates better in the half-court game than a fastbreak game.

But then came Malone and Payton.

Jackson already knew Malone could rebound and pass. He also thought Payton, while willing to run a structured offense such as Jackson’s triangle, would run every chance he got.

What Jackson didn’t know was whether the rest of the Lakers were willing -- and able -- to keep up with Payton. A successful fastbreak needs good rebounders, good passers and good finishers.

Jackson saw the possibilities during training camp. Not only calculated or obvious fastbreaks, when the team had a two- or three-man advantage from a turnover, but fastbreaks at any point in the game. The kind of lung-burning attack that gets easy baskets and can deflate opponents.

So Jackson and his staff installed a fastbreak scheme he said he hadn’t used since his days with the Chicago Bulls.

“This is the first year we’ve run this type of a break [in Los Angeles],� Jackson said.

“I’ve used it with other teams, but I probably haven’t used it in 10 years. I thought with Gary’s ability to push the ball, as forceful as he is, it would give the other players more space to operate.�

The key to making the break work, Jackson said, is a quick outlet pass from either a rebound or an out-of-bounds play.

“Karl is great at that, having played all those years with [John] Stockton. Shaq has been great at throwing the outlet pass.�

Once Payton gets the ball, he zips into the middle of a backpedaling defense, looking to whip a quick pass to a teammate filling a lane to his left or right.

“We have guys who like to pass the ball. And Karl and Gary have really helped players who like to play off the ball,� Jackson said. “When you have movement, and guys know they’re going to get the ball if they’re open, it can accelerate things.�

Devean George and Kobe Bryant have been two beneficiaries of the running game. Malone is 40, but he is still one of the fastest men in the league at his size, 6 feet 10. Even the 7-foot O’Neal, despite recent calf problems, has been running.

“Phil has told me to push the ball,� Payton said. “Now that everyone’s seeing what I’m doing, everybody’s getting to spots. What I tell them is, ‘Get open and I’ll find you.’ Kobe’s getting a picture of it now, Devean’s doing the same thing and Karl’s always running.

“Now they’re all reading me. If I go real deep into the defense, then they stay out. If I’m at the top of the key, slowing down, they know to keep running. We’re starting to get a real good feel for each other, and it’s been good for us.�

In 16 games the Lakers have averaged 12.75 fastbreak points. They have scored as many as 27 fastbreak points (against Washington) and as few as five (against Detroit). Neither Phoenix nor Miami scored a fastbreak point against Los Angeles while the Lakers had eight and 14, respectively.

And it’s probably not a coincidence that in their three losses -- to New Orleans, Memphis and Detroit -- each opponent was able to keep the Lakers from running.

Payton is clearly relishing the chance to restore the era of Showtime, when Magic Johnson and Co. ran the legs off the rest of the NBA.

“Michael Cooper could take people out, [James Worthy] would do the same, and Byron Scott got the easy outside shot,� Payton said. “Kurt Rambis was good at [the break] too. If Kurt and them were open, Magic would get them the ball.

“I’m trying to bring it back to that.�

TONIGHT

vs. Indiana, 6:30, Fox Sports Net

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- KLAC (570).

Records -- Lakers 13-3, Pacers 14-2.

Record vs. Pacers (2002-03) -- 2-0.

Update -- The Lakers have won five consecutive games, including Friday night’s 103-87 pounding of San Antonio. The Pacers have the NBA’s best record and have won eight straight, including Friday’s 90-77 dismantling of Philadelphia. The matchup to watch: Indiana’s Ron Artest against Bryant. “Artest is a very strong, physical player who’s had some success [guarding] Kobe in the past,� Jackson said. “I think you have to honor him as a defensive player. But ... there’s always a level where a defensive player is troubled. Sometimes it’s off the ball rather than on the ball. There’s always a way to beat somebody, and you have to pick that.� Artest isn’t only a defender, he’s also averaging 18.9 points. That’s second on the team to Jermaine O’Neal’s 19.8 average.