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**Sean** · 10-13-2002, 12:50 PM

From multiple news services

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Los Angeles rookie Kareem Rush thinks he has what it takes to make it at the NBA level.

And he tried his best to prove to coach Phil Jackson he can still hit the shots he did as a standout last year at Missouri. Rush hit five long jumpers Saturday night in the Lakers 103-81 loss to the Denver Nuggets.

``I think I'm playing pretty well,'' said Rush, who scored 12 points on the night. ``I'm just getting more comfortable with the offense.''

Rush got 24 minutes of court time and hopes he'll be sticking around when Jackson makes his next round of cuts.

``I know what my role is on the team,'' he said. ``I'm not going to go out there and do something I shouldn't.''

Rookie spots will be hard to come by on the Lakers. The team returns 10 players from its three-peat championship last season.

Jackson said he hasn't been very pleased with all his rookies' play, but he said Saturday's game was good for the younger players.

``This is really a good game for us,'' Jackson said. ``Our young kids have not been as good as they should be, and it was different for them to operate out there.

``It was a good learning experience.''

Rush agreed with his coach's stance, saying he's learning every time he's out on the floor.

``They try to take advantage of you, but I'm going to try not to let them do it to me,'' he said.

Teammate Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 20 points.

Denver got 15 from James Posey and 13 each from Chris Anderson and Nene Hilario.

Shaquille O'Neal, recuperating from toe surgery, did not play.

Denver improved to 1-1 in the preseason.

*******
On Friday in Arkanas, ex-Lakers top exec Jerry West had bad news for the Sacramento Kings, who lost to the Lakers in the Western Conference finals.

"They won't beat them this year, either," said West, who runs the Memphis Grizzlies. "I just think (the Lakers) are a class above everyone else."

Lakers coach Phil Jackson tried to compliment the Kings for their signing of Keon Clark, though he couldn't do so without taking a small dig.

"I think that was a good stopgap in case (Chris) Webber had to go to jail," he said.

<<<D>>> · 10-13-2002, 02:40 PM

It's nice to know that Rush is feeling comfortable with the system. As long as he know's his role and he doesn't try and do too much, he'll be fine. He's a matured individual and a ready-made player. Just a matter of time now.

As for Jerry West's comment:
He knows what the Lakers are about, now & forever

**Damian Necronamous** · 10-13-2002, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by naesdj!
Rush got 24 minutes of court time and hopes he'll be sticking around when Jackson makes his next round of cuts.

Wait a minute! Rush could get cut?!

I hope PJ isn't stupid enough to cut a rookie that is averaging 12ppg in the preseason. He's getting double-figures in his first season in the triangle offense, what else can Phil want?!

And what does he mean the rookies aren't playing as well as they should be? Pargo and Rush seem to be plying damn well to me.

JGKoblenz · 10-14-2002, 05:30 AM

Adappted from Rocky Mountain News:

Samake 1-3 FG, 1-2 FT, 3 PTS, 8 REBOUNDS
Fisher 1-5 FG, 3-4 FT, 5 PTS
George 6-8 FG, 2-2 FT, 15 PTS
Horry 1-1 FG, 0-0 FT, 2 PTS
Bryant 4-9 FG, 10-12 FT, 20 PTS
Rucker 2-4 FG, 4-6 FT, 8 PTS
Sobral 1-3 FG, 2-6 FT, 4 PTS
Guyton 0-1 FG, 1-2 FT, 1 PTS
Pargo 1-4 FG, 2-3 FT, 5 PTS
Medvedenko 1-4 FG, 0-0 FT, 2 PTS
Shaw 0-3 FG, 0-0 FT, 0 PTS
Rush 5-9 FG, 2-2 FT, 12 PTS
Murray 1-5 FG, 0-0 FT, 2 PTS
Walker 1-1 FG, 0-0 FT, 2 PTS

Totals 25-57 27-39 81.

**Jamel Irief** · 10-14-2002, 07:36 AM

You're two boys Sobral and Hilario going at it JG, who were you rooting for?

JGKoblenz · 10-14-2002, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jemel Irief!
You're two boys Sobral and Hilario going at it JG, who were you rooting for?

I'm a Laker fan, so I was rooting for the Lakers. But I'm very happy how Nene Hilario played, 14 points, not bad at all.

Sobral told for a brazilian newspaper about the game, I will translate it to you.

Jefferson Sobral

It was exiting match against Nene

"Yesterday I stayied with Nene before the match. I talked with him a lot and he told me how he was shocked. I already played internatonal games but nothing it's similar to a NBA match. It was special to play with Nene. We didn't talk during the game, we were very focus. The denver played well and won. I have a regular apereance. Collect 4 points, but could made more. I was too nervous and made 4 FT mistakes. Considering it all, I played well."

I know Sobral won't make the roster, but maybe next season he can find another NBA team. Nene look very well to me. But we will have to wait till the season starts.

**Jamel Irief** · 10-14-2002, 08:55 AM

For Nene's sake I hope Sobral finds a spot in the NBA somewhere. I think it would be very helpful for Nenes development if one of his peers were Brazilian as well.

Does Sobral speak English?

JGKoblenz · 10-14-2002, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jemel Irief!
For Nene's sake I hope Sobral finds a spot in the NBA somewhere. I think it would be very helpful for Nenes development if one of his peers were Brazilian as well.

Does Sobral speak English?

Yeah, he speaks english.

But Nene is very confortable with his teamates, especially Skita and Savo, the other foreing rookies from Denver.

Sobral and Nene are friends, they used to play together in Vasco da Gama, and Nene helped Sobral to enter in the Lakers, he let him use his agent Joe Santos and let him use the apartment he was using when he started training in USA.

Even if Sobral can't find a NBA team to play, he will stay in USA playing in the NBDL. Maybe they could meet sometimes in the future.

c_dog · 10-14-2002, 01:25 PM

Wow, lost by 22. Embarrassing, even if it's just the preseason. So this is how vulnerable the Lakers is without Shaq...

JYD · 10-14-2002, 02:38 PM

With Kareem Rush averaging 12 ppg in the pre-season I have a very good feeling. Is he the highest scoring rookie in the NBA this pre-season? Whats Qyntel Woods averaging?
I think he can be a star in the future.
Right now Kobe is averaging 17.5 ppg. And I don't think Devean George is averaging over 12.
With Shaq getting 30 and Kobe getting 30, Fisher, George and Rush at 10, Samake Walker and Rick Fox add up to 10, the Lakers might be able to be the highest scoring team in the NBA in 2 years or mabeye this year. Those guys alone add up to 100 ppg, all the others have to do is play defense.

THE'clip'SHOW · 10-14-2002, 02:48 PM

Drew Gooden and Mike Batiste are averaging more I believe

**Damian Necronamous** · 10-14-2002, 04:53 PM

Drew Gooden: 20ppg
Mike Batiste: 21ppg

Mike Batiste is frickin incredible! No one had even heard about this guy and he's getting 21ppg!!!!!!

He better make the roster!!!

**Damian Necronamous** · 10-14-2002, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JYD!
Whats Qyntel Woods averaging?

He's getting 11mpg and 5.5ppg in 2 games

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