LAKERS NOTEBOOK: JACKSON HOPES HIS MESSAGE GET ACROSS.

Byline: ROSS SILER

Staff Writer

EL SEGUNDO -- In the three seasons he has played for Phil Jackson, Lakers forward Luke Walton said he never had seen his coach as furious as he was Wednesday the morning after an inexcusable loss to Memphis.

"The thing is, he doesn't get angry that much," Walton said. "I mean, I'm sure he does inside but he's always trying to stay on that middle ground. You could see in his face he was really upset yesterday."

Jackson blistered the Lakers for giving away a game to the Grizzlies in the middle of a playoff push. He sent his players home early, telling them to get away from the game, with orders to return Thursday ready to work.

The true test won't come until tonight's game against Houston, but Jackson said the team had a good practice. Jackson also framed the Memphis game for his players as letting down the coaches, the fans and themselves with their lack of effort.

"We talked about how you motivate each other in a ballgame," Jackson said. "I felt the leadership to drive our team was missing because Kobe (Bryant) was missing his shots and no one else was willing to step up or take that action."

Bryant said Jackson's words had gotten through. The Lakers still lead Denver by 21/2 games for sixth in the Western Conference standings with 11 games to play.

"I think guys came back today ready to practice," Bryant said. "We had a good practice today and hopefully it'll translate over to the game."

Proven commodity: Even though he admits that an ankle injury probably took him out of the running, Walton appreciates being mentioned as a candidate for the NBA's Most Improved Player. The Lakers have promoted Walton for the award in their game notes.

Walton went into the off-season knowing that he could showcase his range of skills if he could just shoot more consistently. A career 41.5 percent shooter his first three pro seasons, Walton has made 47.5 percent of his shots this season.

He has averaged 11.5 points (up from 5.0 last season), 4.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists while starting all 49games in which he has played.

His value to the team can be measured simply: the Lakers are 31-18 with Walton in the lineup and 7-15 without him.

Walton has been so indispensable that Jackson likened him to being the "yeast in bread" for the way he encourages team play.

Walton is still trying to get back up to speed after missing 21games with a sprained right ankle.

"It's still frustrating because I feel like I lost a lot of conditioning when I got hurt," Walton said. "My ankle's still not strong enough to where I can constantly get in the lane and make aggressive plays, so it's one of those things where I have to pick and choose."

Defensive minded: Bryant will have to earn every point tonight against a Houston team ranked second in the league in scoring defense and first in field-goal percentage defense. The Rockets give up 91points a game and can use Shane Battier to guard Bryant.

"They're great contesting shots and getting into people's bodies," Jackson said.

The Lakers are hopeful Kwame Brown will be able to overcome his injured ankle and give them minutes against Yao Ming. Brown went through half-court drills in practice, Jackson said.

Scoring king: Carmelo Anthony all but conceded Bryant his second consecutive scoring title, telling The Denver Post: "If he's going out there throwing in 65 points like that, he can have it. It's all fun and games winning the scoring title. It's an individual accolade."

Bryant is averaging 30.8 points to Anthony's 29.0. Jackson suggested last week that an exchange with Anthony during the Lakers' March 15 loss at Denver provided some of the motivation for Bryant's headline-making run of 50- and 60-point games.

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- Ross Siler