LAKERS NOTEBOOK: BY GEORGE, LAKERS GUARD FINALLY SHOWS HE'S GOT IT.

Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer

MINNEAPOLIS - Devean George finally showed some of the promise that prompted the Lakers to draft him, and finally got a homecoming he could enjoy.

George, who graduated from nearby Augsburg College, played perhaps his best quarter as a pro Sunday. He scored 10 points in the last seven minutes of the game as the Lakers pulled past the Minnesota Timberwolves for a 104-99 victory.

``I had my family, my mom and dad and everybody watching, hoping for me, so I was trying to do something out there,'' said George, the Lakers' first-round pick in 1999.

The Lakers loved his potential, athleticism and defensive skills, but George has been inconsistent and mistake-prone. But with Kobe Bryant out, coach Phil Jackson began giving George more minutes and more latitude lately, and he's settled down.

``I can see that he's going to leave me in the game when I make a turnover or I make a bad pass, he sticks with me, and that's just a confidence boost, and that will make you be more aggressive,'' he said.

Aside from the scoring, George twice forced jump balls by pouncing on loose balls, harassed Terrell Brandon into a bad shot with time running out and the Lakers clinging to a four-point lead, and closed out the game with a couple of key defensive rebounds.

``If you can't perform in your hometown, where can you perform, right?'' Jackson asked.

--Kobe's ready: Bryant felt as though he was ready to play Sunday but decided to put off his comeback for two more days, just to be sure. He'll make his return Tuesday, when the Lakers play Phoenix at Staples Center.

``As far as I'm concerned, unless something dramatic happens, I'm playing Tuesday,'' said Bryant, out nine of the past 10 games.

Bryant worked out individually before the game and said his strained left foot ``is not even sore right now. ... That's a real good sign.''

--Harper's not: There is ``an outside chance'' that Ron Harper (left knee) will return in time for the Lakers' season finale April 17, Jackson said.

Regardless, Jackson added, ``We feel strongly he'll probably be on the playoff roster.''

--Bench Rider: This wasn't an auspicious road trip for Isaiah Rider, who was benched Sunday for the second time in four games. This one was a result of Rider's sullen demeanor Friday in Boston, where he played only 3 minutes, spent the entire third quarter in the locker room and complained about his role.

``I just didn't like the total feel of the package, the taste that was left in my mouth after the game on Friday night,'' Jackson said.

Rider, apparently unfazed by his sixth benching of the season, had Bob Marley playing in his locker afterward and sung along as if he didn't have a care in the world.