LAKERS NOTEBOOK: HOLES NOT YET FILLED.

Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer

The Lakers, the ones who are not otherwise injured or suspended, open their third title defense tonight. Some introductions will be necessary.

Coach Phil Jackson had not decided as of Monday afternoon how he would fill the vacancies left by Shaquille O'Neal (toe injury) and Rick Fox (suspension). The only certain starters are Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher in the backcourt and Robert Horry at power forward.

Fox, suspended for fighting Sacramento's Doug Christie, will be replaced by either Tracy Murray or Devean George. Jackson was leaning toward Murray, ``but I'm still willing to sit and think about it overnight,'' he said.

Although George is more experienced in the Lakers' system, Murray is a seasoned veteran, and he played well in the final two exhibition games. Also, Murray continues to regain strength and flexibility after hip surgery in March and could benefit from playing early, while his body is still loose from warm-ups.

If Jackson wants experience at center, he'll start Samaki Walker, who filled in for O'Neal several times last season. But he has also toyed with the possibility of starting newcomer Soumaila Samake. Although raw, Samake is 7-feet tall and might present a defensive challenge to Spurs center David Robinson.

``This is what we're faced with,'' Bryant said. ``So it's important for everybody to believe in themselves and believe in what we can do as a team, go out there and play the way that we know how.''

With Fox out, Bryant might spend more time at forward, which would open up more minutes in the backcourt for rookies Kareem Rush and Janerro Pargo.

``It's good for these guys, Pargo and Kareem,'' Bryant said. ``It's a good challenge for them. It's an opportunity of a lifetime because you know Phil really doesn't play young players. Now it's an opportunity where he has to play them a little bit.''

--Comedy: The Lakers entertained members of the L.A. Chamber of Commerce at a downtown hotel Monday.

Rush and Pargo, as part of their rookie hazing, supplied the music - a brief, raspy duet of R. Kelly's ``I Believe I Can Fly.''

O'Neal, naturally, supplied the (somewhat dicey) comedy. Asked about his surgically repaired toe, he quipped, ``My foot feels pretty good. I had Doug Christie's wife massage it for me before coming over here.''

--Also: Mark Madsen (hamstring) joined O'Neal on the injured list. Both must sit a minimum of five games. ... O'Neal began a light running program Monday and reported no problems.

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