Space man soars

Vladimir Radmanovic's jump shot had been absent for most of the first nine games, so much so that reporters began asking this week about his status as a member of the Lakers' starting lineup. Coach Phil Jackson declined to answer questions Tuesday about Radmanovic, a guy he once referred to as a Space Cadet, but his silence said all that needed to be said.

Radmanovic said Wednesday he would worry about his 34 percent shooting, but only after the Lakers' 10th game of the season. Well, the Lakers played their 10th game of the season, and with Radmanovic's assistance, they hammered the Suns, 105-92, in Phoenix on Thursday night.

Radmanovic scored a season-high 15 points, making all five of his 3-point tries. His only miss was a 2-pointer, a 21-foot jumper midway through the third quarter. Later, he said, "There's no secret. I just hit my shots tonight. Guys were finding me. The 10th game was big for me. I had to step up."

When someone asked him if was concerned about his low shooting percentage through the season's first nine games, he said, "Not really. ,,, Obviously, I don't get 20 shots a game, so if I miss three or four I have awful stats. That's it."