'HE LOOKED WORN DOWN' HEALTH CONCERNS GIVEN AS REASON FOR RESIGNING.

Byline: Ross Siler Staff Writer

EL SEGUNDO - Just in time for a game tonight against the NBA's best team, as well as the most difficult stretch of their season, the Lakers were shaken to learn Wednesday of coach Rudy Tomjanovich's abrupt resignation because of health concerns.

Tomjanovich, who had missed the Lakers' previous two games with a stomach virus, joined general manager Mitch Kupchak in a morning meeting with the team and broke down when he said he was leaving.

``Seeing Rudy like that,'' center Chris Mihm said, ``you can tell how much it's been wearing on him. He looked worn down. It was tough on him to be in there talking to us. You hate to see anyone go through that, let alone somebody you've grown to be close with and respect.''

Tomjanovich was as much a part of the Lakers' foundation for the future as Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom and Caron Butler. Assistant Frank Hamblen will take over in the interim, with his first test coming tonight against the San Antonio Spurs at Staples Center.

For the time being, the questions about whether Phil Jackson will return to his old seat on the bench will continue. Most of the players learned of Tomjanovich's departure from television reports Tuesday afternoon after they left the team's shootaround.

``One of the things I appreciate about this league,'' Hamblen said, ``and these players is the resilience that when things happen like this, they put it aside and continue on.

``They're professionals. I think they gave it their all for Rudy. They're disappointed he's not going to be here, but I think they're also happy for me and we're going to continue and see if we can keep this thing going.''

Hamblen's fate will be a subject as long as he is interim coach. As the longest tenured assistant in the NBA, the 57-year-old Hamblen has coached in the league since 1969, the year before he drafted Tomjanovich with the San Diego Rockets.

Kupchak said he had confidence in Hamblen to coach the Lakers for as long as necessary. Hamblen did the same thing with the Milwaukee Bucks in 1991-92, replacing Del Harris and finishing with a 23-42 record.

``One man's downfall is another man's opportunity,'' Tomjanovich said. ``I really am pulling for him. I believe he will do a good job.''

Hamblen, the lone holdover from Jackson's staff, joked Wednesday about not formally having accepted the job before sitting down in front of the television cameras. He also made light of his tenuous situation.

``Apparently, Mitch said it could be a day, a week, a year,'' Hamblen said. ``There's nothing like having security in the NBA.''

Hamblen's presence on Tomjanovich's staff provided the Lakers some continuity as they overhauled their roster with 10 new players, a new head coach and no Shaquille O'Neal. Now Hamblen will be counted on to bring stability to a team in desperate need of it.

The Lakers entered Wednesday in seventh place in the Western Conference and will play 24 of their final 38 games on the road after tonight. Tomjanovich said the team had done ``miraculous'' things just to have a 24-19 record in light of all the tumult.

``There's been major changes here with this organization, but we still want to be in the playoffs,'' Hamblen said. ``We're in the hunt right now and we want to continue that. We know the schedule's not going to get any easier for us. But we do get Kobe back.''

Bryant offered the lone bit of good news Wednesday as he said he would try to return from a severely sprained right ankle during the Lakers' upcoming five-game road trip before the All-Star break.

``We have to keep the ship moving and we have to stay focused,'' Bryant said. ``We can't afford to slide, especially in the Western Conference.''

Hamblen said he likely would employ more of the triangle offense that Phil Jackson and Tex Winter made famous with the Chicago Bulls and the Lakers. His team already has taken fewer 3-pointers per game than under Tomjanovich.

Odom said he didn't expect much to change with Hamblen, who coached the Lakers to victories against Charlotte and Portland this week while Tomjanovich was out.

``We have somebody who's more than qualified for the job,'' Odom said. ``We're not switching offense or have a new defensive coordinator. It's the same routine. Just keep the ball rolling.''

Mihm added: ``Not a lot's going to change, other than the fact that we'll miss Rudy around here.''

The Lakers haven't missed the playoffs since 1994 and will face a San Antonio team they lost to 100-83 last month. Kupchak acknowledged the super-sized expectations still in place, regardless of the coach.

``In this city, we have a high standard,'' Kupchak said, ``and we have learned to live with those pressures and to live up to that standard. This team and this coaching staff should be commended for the job they've done to date.''

Ross Siler, [phone]

ross.siler(at)dailynews.com

HAMBLEN AT A GLANCE

Age: 57

College: Syracuse

Notable: In 35th season of professional basketball. ... This is his sixth season with the Lakers. ... As a scout for the Rockets, he played big role in team drafting Rudy Tomjanovich. ... He was also an assistant coach in Milwaukee for nine seasons, and under Phil Jackson in Chicago for three seasons.

CAPTION(S):

5 photos, 3 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- color) In his first season as Lakers coach, Rudy Tomjanovich guided the team to a 24-19 record.

(2) no caption (Hamblen)

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer

(3 -- color) no caption (Mitch Kupchak)

(4 -- color) no caption (Frank Hamblen)

(5 -- color) no caption (Kobe Bryant)

Box:

(1) HAMBLEN AT A GLANCE (see text)

(2) BRIEF STAYS

(3) NBA COACHING VICTORIES