LAKERS NOTEBOOK: FEISTY LAKERS MORE AGGRESSIVE.

Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer

EL SEGUNO - If there was any doubt the Lakers still have that championship edge - specifically, the take-no-prisoners, jam-it-down-their- throats mentality - they are putting it to rest daily with physical play and sometimes-intense intrasquad scrimmages.

On Sunday, Kobe Bryant toppled rookie Cory Hightower while soaring toward the rim on the fast break. Moments later, coach Phil Jackson called an end to the scrimmage - he was fine with the play but not so thrilled about his players' grumbling over officiating, or lack thereof.

Championship teams, he sternly lectured in a hastily called team huddle, don't dwell on calls and noncalls. They just play on.

``They were a little feisty today and they were getting after each other,'' Jackson said. ``Some of them were concerned about the refereeing,more than they were concerned about just playing ball, playing it the way it's got to be played according to Hoyle. So we had to talk a little bit about how to play and how to play hard and how to play through things, and the attitude that I bring as a coach to the floor, what I want done. And I think they understood.''

Overall, Jackson is happy with the level of aggression, even if it's meant some bumps and bruises.

``They have to get competitive with each other and the only way you practice is if you play hard, real hard,'' he said. ``You don't play brutal, but you play a hard, physical game. And until we have that kind of competitiveness day in and day out, and play by play, you're not a good team, you're not a great team.''

--Rough Rider: There was no disagreement from Jackson over Isaiah Rider's recent self-assessment - that he's not playing up to his abilities.

``When you think and play at the same time, you can't just play instinctively,'' Jackson said. ``So this is no mystery to me. And we like to see J.R. still working at the thinking process and understanding where he's going, but yet we know that it's not gonna happen immediately. It's gonna happen maybe two weeks from now, maybe three weeks from now, that all of those things will flow together.''

Rider has struggled with the triangle offense, but in Sunday's scrimmage, which was more of a full-court exercise, he played better, Jackson said. ``I thought he got real deep into this practice emotionally.''

--Ouch report: Rookie forward Mark Madsen was held out of practice Sunday because of a sprained left wrist and is scheduled to be examined today. The injury, suffered in Thursday night's exhibition game, is not considered serious and did not keep him from practicing Saturday.

Tyronn Lue, locked in a battle for a roster spot, sat out the entire weekend with a sprained right ankle. He's hoping to return in time for Tuesday's exhibition game against the Phoenix Suns in Anaheim.

--Waive goodbye: Jackson might cut a player or two today. The Lakers play three exhibition games this week and he would like a moremanageable rotation.

The Lakers are carrying 19 players but must reduce the roster to a maximum of 15 (12 active, up to three on the injured list) by the time the season opens Oct. 31.