Lakers coach Phil Jackson tells this story of his kidney-stone operation: "When the anesthesiologist leaned over me, he said, 'We named your kidney stone Kobe because it's not passing.' "
Asked if he feared the Kings as an opponent, Jackson said, "I have absolutely no fear of this team at all. Did you look at their bench and their demeanor? They whined the whole game long . . . They obviously are carrying something inside that says they have to have the referees to win the game . . . That's not good behavior for a team that wants to win a championship."
Nets' Kenyon Martin won't haggle for a maximum contract extension but expects some kind of offer. "I'm not going to settle for less than what I think I am worth," he said. "But if it is not the max and it is a good number, then I can live with it. I am not going to be no dummy."
Inmates Running the Asylum Dept.: Bucks' Tim Thomas refused to re-enter a game in Denver Wednesday but still played Friday night against the Jazz because, as coach George Karl said, the team was considering fining him rather than suspending him.
Seattle, meanwhile, wasted no time suspending guard Joe Forte after a locker-room altercation with teammate Jerome James. Seems the seldom-played Forte had behaved inappropriately after a loss, including singing happily in the shower. James tried to set him straight — Forte says he put his hands on him — and the result was a little tussle.
James says he understand's Forte's frustration because he felt the same way as a rookie with the Kings until "Chris (Webber) and Vlade (Divac) came to my house just to put me in my place." James added: "This is America's greatest job . . . you can't handle things like you would on the street."
Vladimir Radmanovic is also unhappy with the Sonics. "Vladimir was given the expectation that he would be a much bigger part of this team this year than he has been," said the player's agent, David Bauman. "I'm concerned that he's kind of being stifled here. I know he's young. I know he can be impatient, but he just needs to be given a chance."
Larry Bird says he's not interested in buying the for-sale Bucks because it's too cold in Milwaukee.
Magic coach Doc Rivers squelched persistent rumors that he will be the next coach of the Knicks. "My son has been to six states, six different schools and he's going to finish his high school in Florida," said Rivers. "I'm always going to do things that are best for the family."
The latest Knicks improvement plan has them packaging their first-round pick with Latrell Sprewell to get a high-caliber player, as they did last season to get Antonio McDyess. That assumes some team outside of Portland is crazy enough to deal for Sprewell.
Michael Jordan has grown disgusted with the work ethic of his youthful teammates. "It's very disappointing when a 40-year-old man has more desire than 25-, 26-, 23-year-old people," he said. "Until those guys let go of that macho, cool attitude . . . it's going to be tough for Washington to make anything."
Jordan's teammate, Jerry Stackhouse, was more worried about his touches. "I can't do anything if I don't have the ball," he said. "Man, talk to the coach. Talk to the coach. I ain't got the answers. That ain't how I play."
Players Association President Michael Curry says a Sports Illustrated report that an age-limit rule is close to reality was premature. Before the players will agree to such a restriction, they'd want concessions, including salary-cap relief for teams that sign veteran players and maybe a reduction in the luxury tax.
Kentucky coach Tubby Smith is rumored to be interested in an NBA job.
Spin out of Sacramento is that it was a misguided fan who somehow gained control of Shaquille O'Neal's 20,000th-point ball and scrawled an expletive on it. According to the Kings, a scouting video shows the ball there one minute, then gone, then back. They decline to identify the culprit, however.
Bucks are five games under .500, which means Gary Payton is about to play on the first losing team of his life. "I've never been on a losing team," he said. "Never. Not in the NBA, not in college, not in high school, not in elementary school. I came close the lockout year (1998-'99 with the Sonics). We finished 25-25 . . . That's very important to me. I never want to be considered a loser or on a losing team. Once you start that, it comes in a trend."
Isiah Thomas blames Mavs coach Don Nelson for his team's thug reputation. "I have to give Don Nelson a lot of credit, he really put it to us," said Thomas. "I think our games are definitely officiated differently now. Nellie, you're the best."
Compiled by Rich Evans from Internet and wire-service reports