LAKERS NOTEBOOK: MAGIC'S CRITICISM RAISES EYEBROWS, BUT ISN'T REJECTED.

Byline: Howard Beck Staff Writer

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Magic Johnson's decision to publicly smack his team did not sit well with anyone in the organization, but no one was particularly eager to refute anything the Lakers legend, and part-owner, said.

``Don't ask me a question. I don't want to talk to anybody,'' Gary Payton told reporters before the game Sunday. ``I don't care about no Magic Johnson.''

On Saturday, Johnson surprised team officials by criticizing the Lakers' uninspired play against the Detroit Pistons. He singled out Payton for missing ``wide-open'' shots and for being consistently outplayed by Chauncey Billups.

And he strongly disapproved of Karl Malone's run-in with a Pistons fan before Game 3, saying it was unbecoming of a Laker. But Malone defended his actions, saying the fan spit in his face.

``You can be Laker-like all you want to,'' Malone said. ``I'm from the South. We don't allow those kind of actions.''

Coach Phil Jackson said he did not hear or read Johnson's comments, but was familiar with what was said.

``We deal with Magic sometimes having to say some things that interject into our business and the team,'' Jackson said. ``He is an owner. We have to respect what he says. He wants us to represent the team and L.A. well, so I think his sentiments are fine.''

--Also: Malone rode a stationary bicycle in the Lakers' locker room at halftime to keep his knee from tightening up. ... Devean George cut his lower lip on a foul by Lindsey Hunter in the second quarter but did not need stitches. ... Shaquille O'Neal stole the opening tip for the fourth consecutive game.

Howard Beck, [phone]

howard.beck(at)dailynews.com