TROUBLE DEEP IN TEXAS.

Byline: STEVE DILBECK

SAN ANTONIO - This is trouble like the Lakers have never known. Deep, soul-searching trouble.

The Spurs are growing by the game, their confidence swelling, that ``impervious quality'' more secure than ever, their coach loose and relaxed.

The Lakers are shrinking, still confused, somehow still suffering ``miscommunications'' after 89 games, their legendary coach's frustration becoming more obvious by the game.

The Lakers are not just down 2-0 after Wednesday's 95-85 loss to the Spurs, they are a team failing to rise to the moment. A team allowing the Spurs to impose their will. A team that right now appears inferior to its opponent.

The signs are everywhere, and not just in the Lakers' incredible melting performances in the fourth quarter. For the second consecutive game, the Lakers clawed their way back into the game, only for the Spurs to out-execute them in final period.

The Spurs, looking cohesive and collected. The Spurs, watching a new superstar point guard explode.

The Lakers, in the wrong places and bickering.

The Lakers, watching their superstar point guard look old.

The Lakers talked about going inside more to Shaquille O'Neal, did, and it didn't matter.

How many times have they lost when Shaq was going for 30-plus points and 15 rebounds? He was 15 of 21 from the field to finish with 32 points nd 15 rebounds, and it wasn't enough.

``We just have to go out and do it,'' O'Neal said. ``That was enough talk.''

The Lakers fell behind by 16 points - in the first quarter. They hardly looked like a team that came ready to play. A team determined to win back the championship from the Spurs.

They started to creep back into it in the third quarter, but after pulling to within 67-58, Tim Duncan was left alone and slammed in a monstrous bucket.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson's frustration erupted. He called a timeout, screamed at Karl Malone, at Shaq, Devean George and back at Malone, who barked back.

``We had some miscommunications, and that's my fault,'' Jackson said.

Miscommunications on where to be on the floor, what to run, when to react - almost 90 games after these ``four future Hall of Famers'' have been together.

``It's been typical of our year, miscommunications as a team,'' Malone said.

That was not the only time Wednesday that the Lakers' play drew Jackson's ire. Instead of coming together in the playoffs, the Lakers flirt with coming apart.

It is two games, and as all are quick to point out, it takes four to advance. But right now there is little the Lakers can put their arms around as reason to believe all will suddenly be right when they return to Los Angeles for the next two games.

``I feel like this team can turn it around,'' Malone said. ``I don't know how specifically, but I know we need to start the game like we believe we can.''

Tony Parker is igniting the San Antonio attack. He had a career playoff-high 30 points and five assists. Lakers point guard Gary Payton had seven points and two assists.

In two games, Parker has outscored Payton 50-11. It's a passing of the torch and it's burning the Lakers.

Kobe Bryant tried to go more inside to Shaq, just like Shaq's daddy wanted. Kobe finished with a game-high eight assists, but was 7 of 17 from the field.

Bruce Bowen is making Kobe work hard for every shot. Truly, there are no easy shots for the Lakers. Only the Spurs ever find an easy basket.

Yet through Shaq's inside game and Kobe's persistence, the Lakers rallied from 19 points down to pull within 80-78 on a 17-foot jumper from Kobe with 5:51 to play.

And the Lakers never hit another field goal.

The fourth quarter, the period the Lakers used to own during the title runs, dominated again by the Spurs.

``Late in games they are just working harder than we are right now,'' Derek Fisher said.

Of course, when you get off to such pathetic starts, sometimes it's going to drain you to rally back.

``It looked like we ran out of gas again tonight getting back into the ballgame and didn't have enough left for the last four minutes of the game,'' Jackson said.

Nothing seems to come easily to the Lakers, while the Spurs are cruising on a 17-game winning streak and hearing the next playoff round call.

Now the Lakers can afford no mistakes. There can be no more winnable games lost in the fourth quarter. They have to go home and win both of the next games.

``It's critical,'' Fisher said.

Or it's all over. The grand dream, the return to the title.

The Lakers are in trouble like they never have been this season. That's a communication that should be clear.