LAKERS NOTEBOOK: DIVAC'S CONTRIBUTION STILL LIMITED.

Byline: Ross Siler Staff Writer

MILWAUKEE - The back is 100 percent healthy, the conditioning is 80 percent there, but the percentage of the Lakers' season in which Vlade Divac will be able to make a meaningful contribution remains in doubt.

Divac did not play in Sunday's victory over New Orleans, in part because the Hornets turned to a small lineup with Jamaal Magloire injured, in part because the game's outcome was in doubt until the fourth quarter.

It has been an adjustment all around, especially for Divac, who suffered a herniated disc when he attempted a spin move during September workouts. He needed the better part of two months to recover.

``It's really hard for me to say anything because it's the first time I've been in this situation,'' Divac said Tuesday. ``So I don't know how it's going to go.''

Now the 36-year-old center must catch up, learning coach Rudy Tomjanovich's offense and trying to get into playing shape. Divac said he had the Lakers system down but estimated he could play 12 minutes at most per game right now.

``He's got to work more than the practices,'' Tomjanovich said. ``The practices alone ain't going to do it.''

Tomjanovich added that he had not yet determined how Divac and Chris Mihm would split time at center.

--Getting stronger: Kobe Bryant entered Tuesday's game having played 44 or more minutes in each of the Lakers' previoussix games. He leads the NBA in minutes played but said Monday there has not been a strain so far.

``That's why I'm in shape,'' het said. ``That's why I work hard in the offseason. I feel great right now. I've been playing 44, 45 minutes, whatever it is and I'm still out here in practice running around, getting extra work in, still in the weight room and everything. So I feel fine.''

Bryant still is tipping the scales at 230 pounds and has continued the post-practice weightlifting sessions he started in training camp. He said he hoped to continue building strength and quickness as the season wears on.

--Injury update: Rookie guard Sasha Vujacic suffered a chip fracture of a bone in his right hand during practice Monday. He went to see a specialist Tuesday but the injury, near his wrist, was not deemed serious.

Already on the injured list, Vujacic is eligible to return Friday but likely will remain inactive awhile longer. He did not travel with the team to Milwaukee and Chicago.

--Zen watching: Former coach Phil Jackson told the Chicago Tribune that he hasn't watched a quarter of the Lakers' season. That didn't stop Jackson from offering an opinion about his former team.

``They want to run and gun and up-tempo their game, but I don't see it happening,'' Jackson said. ``They're going to end up being pretty much a half-court team. But with Kobe there, they have a chance to be in games.''

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- Ross Siler