LAKERS NOTEBOOK: LAKERS' SEASON FATE IS INEXTRICABLY TIED TO GROWTH OF BRYANT.

Byline: Howard Beck Daily News Staff Writer

Kobe Bryant's growth as a player and the Lakers' prospects this season are inextricably tied together. After a 7-4 start, there is reason to be optimistic on both counts.

In the face of criticism from teammates and media - which sent him into a brief funk - Bryant has shown progress in restraining his game. The offense, as a result, is showing signs of better cohesion.

The Lakers committed just 12 turnovers Sunday and six the night before. They were averaging 16.6 through the first nine games.

``I think our offense has stepped into a level of understanding,'' coach Phil Jackson said. ``Kobe occasionally is going off on his tears and doing too much. But Kobe will do that. And he's gonna test the water and see how it is out there, test his hand and and see how hot it is. But he's going to find his way back.''

Clearly, Bryant is taking time to adjust to his new role on the wing of the triangle offense. Freed from the playmaking duties that came with playing guard, Bryant is naturally looking to score more - sometimes overzealously so. That's where the strain with teammates has arisen.

But Bryant has been through this before and knows how to smooth over his own rough spots.

``It's just a process. This is kind of new for me,'' he said. ``It's kind of a new role, so it just takes some time just to get used to it.''

While Bryant has been experimenting - to the tune of 21.4 shots per game, second-highest in the league - the scrutiny of his game has increased. Upset at what he termed ``negative'' coverage last Friday, Bryant cut off interviews for two days. That in itself was newsworthy - Bryant is famously media friendly and accessible, and the brief boycott was a first in his four-year NBA career.

But by Sunday night, after the Lakers' victory over the Bulls, Bryant was back to his confident and gregarious self, joking about the issue and dismissing his critics.

``I just think they don't have anything better to do with their lives,'' Bryant said with a laugh. As for his psyche, ``I'm fine. I get pissed off, too, sometimes,'' he said, laughing again. ``Big shocker.''

--Get defensive: While the Lakers offense has settled down, the defense is coming undone at times. They gave up 96 points to Chicago, 15 more than the Bulls' league-low average. The Lakers' defense is allowing 95.0 points per game (20th in the league) and a .438 field-goal percentage (17th).

``We need to buckle down on that a little bit more,'' said veteran Horace Grant. ``That's something we have to work on. Teams like Utah and Portland, we're not gonna beat teams like that with the defense we played (Sunday). . . . Until we do that, we'll be sort of in the pack.''

Not that Grant feels he needs to lecture his teammates. ``Oh, I'm pretty sure Phil will take care of that. Because Phil never played offense in the NBA,'' Grant said with a laugh. ``He only played defense.''

--Ouch report: Jackson gave his players the day off Monday, but Shaquille O'Neal received treatment for his still-sore left ankle. A team spokesman said the injury is no better or worse than it was before O'Neal's 38-minute stint Sunday night, and he is listed as probable for the Lakers' home game against Golden State on Wednesday.

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Photo: KOBE BRYANT

Adjusting to new role and starting to come out of early season funk.