MURRAY'S LAW KINGS COACH OPERATES WITH CREDENCE.

Byline: KAREN CROUSE

EL SEGUNDO - Phil Jackson is the coach who's supposed to be so centered he doesn't need a compass. In fact, you could fit Jackson's aura in Andy Murray's pocket protector.

Murray, the prep-coach-turned-Kings-coach, does nothing to round the edges of his square image. He doesn't light incense or sprout a soul patch. He feeds his players copious game notes, not books. He is big on curling, not yoga.

And yet, trust us, there's no one cooler than Murray on the L.A. sports scene. With apologies to Alvin Gentry and Jim Tracy, it's not even close.

The difference between Murray and Jackson is like the difference between meatloaf and caviar. One is comfort food, the other is comforting mainly to the pretentious.

There certainly was no confusing the two men's quintessential selves Monday, as they met with reporters separately in the practice facility the Kings and Lakers share.

Jackson suffered the media onslaught not-so-gladly, wasting few words or emotion. As he was rising from the table to escape the media holding pen, a television reporter asked the Lakers' second-year coach a variation of a question that had already been put to him.

Jackson stopped the reporter in midsentence. ``I went over that,'' he hissed. ``You were late.''

Earlier in the day, Murray had found himself surrounded by many of the same reporters, including a few who didn't have a clue how many games Murray has started Felix Potvin in goal, only that it has been ``a real lot'' (35, actually).

Murray could have chided the reporters for not doing their homework. Instead, he graciously provided thoughtful answers to all the questions, even the ones couched as comments (``You guys are playing really well ...'').

You see, Murray's got no stomach for publicly embarrassing people. He doesn't even like to call out his players in print or on air. If he has something negative to say, he'll take the person aside and say it.

Murray's directness comes wrapped in decency and, really, what employee wouldn't plow through a brick Roy for a boss like that?

The Kings are succeeding beyond any outsider's wildest dreams because Murray, 49, expects nothing less of them. He gives his players no excuses, just a blueprint for success that's built on preparation, commitment and caring.

Murray is not a mollycoddler. That his lofty expectations for the players are making them better, not bitter, is not so surprising. Deep down, most players want to be pushed, not pampered. They're not unlike children that way.

``I don't think you should be surprised when a player plays good,'' Murray said. ``That's part of the job responsibility. We expect them to play well.''

Earlier in the Kings' Western Conference semifinal against Colorado, Murray could have mentioned offhandedly to some columnist that Ziggy Palffy, one of the Kings' two lethal weapons on offense along with Luc Robitaille, was bored with the Kings' system, which requires him to do more than score.

That's not the way to win a player's trust, though, so behind closed doors, Murray challenged Palffy to be a complete player on every shift, every night.

In the two games since their chat, Palffy has played unbelievably on both sides of the ice, blocking shots, delivering hits and peppering Patrick Roy with 10 shots.

``I guess that's why I have a job,'' Murray said, allowing himself a small smile. ``My job is to try to get him to get after it, to keep him motivated.''

We wondered why Murray played defenseman Jere Karalahti in the Game 6 on Sunday, when the Kings faced elimination, even though Karalahti's play had dropped off in the previous two games.

Murray admitted he considered playing rookie callup Andreas Lilja in Karalahti's place. He was overruled by his decorum. He decided ``our guys who have been here all year deserve to be in this game. Jere had earned that right.''

So Murray took Lilja aside and said, look, ``if this is next year and we're in the same situation, I would show you the same kind of respect.''

The players know Murray respects them. He has earned their trust by the way he treats them. So when Murray said the Kings would force a Game 7 against Colorado when they were down 3-1, they didn't argue, they simply did as they were told and got it done.

KINGS vs. COLORADO

Wednesday at 7 p.m.; Fox Sports Net

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) L.A. Kings coach Andy Murray has earned the respect and trust of his players with his direct approach.

Kevork Djansezian/Associated Press

(2) Felix Potvin, right, and his Kings teammates have responded to coach Andy Murray.

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer

Box: AT A GLANCE: WESTERN SEMIFINALS, EASTERN SEMIFINALS