LAKERS NOTEBOOK: JACKSON'S OPINION ON BOWEN A CUT-UP.

Byline: Ross Siler Staff Writer

The chatter about Bruce Bowen didn't end at practice Wednesday when Lakers coach Phil Jackson dubbed the San Antonio Spurs' defensive stopper ``Edward Scissorhands'' to laughs from reporters.

After all, Kobe Bryant stated at an All-Star event in February that Bowen is the toughest defender he must face and Jackson was asked a little more before Thursday's game about what Bowen does that is special.

``The more you move against Bowen,'' Jackson said, ``the quicker he reacts and the more chops he gets in.''

Jackson grouped Bowen among the top five players who give Bryant problems on defense, naming two of the others in Phoenix's Raja Bell and Sacramento's Ron Artest. The key for Bryant against Bowen, Jackson said, is to make decisive moves on the floor.

On the strength of his defensive reputation, Bowen was invited to attend USA Basketball's training camp this summer along with Bryant. And Jackson also was asked Thursday if he would consider Bowen a dirty player.

``He's had a license for about four years now,'' Jackson said. ``Prior to that, he was a spot player and it was difficult for him to get those kind of calls.''

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was asked about the Scissorhands remark and said: ``Wow, that's creative. I just call him Bruce.''

--Then and now: Rookie forward Ronny Turiaf proudly walked into the locker room before Thursday's game carrying a Jack Haley basketball card from the 1992-93 season that one fan had given him during warm-ups.

It featured a photo of Haley - now a Fox Sports West broadcaster - wearing shorts from a decidedly different era in the NBA. Haley claimed Turiaf was trying to get even after watching UCLA beat Gonzaga in the NCAA tournament.

Turiaf, meanwhile, claimed that he could get $10,000 for the card if it was autographed and sold on eBay. He taped it to his locker for all to see.

--Strong-man competition: Forward Lamar Odom has claimed in recent days that Kwame Brown might be the NBA's strongest player when he throws his 6-foot-11, 277-pound body around.

``Probably him and Shaq, pound-for-pound,'' Odom said.

--Injury report: Jackson said he was hopeful center Chris Mihm could return from his severely sprained right ankle in time to play two or three games before the end of the regular season. ...

Rookie center Andrew Bynum missed Thursday's game with a sprained right foot and ankle and is doubtful for tonight as well. Bynum could play in Sunday's game against Houston.