ROSTER

Capsules by TIM BROWN, Times Staff Writer

KOBE BRYANT

No.: 8 Hgt.: 6-7 Wgt.: 210

Pos.: Guard Age: 22

Season: Fifth School: Lower Merion (Pa.) HS

His points per game, rebounds per game, assists per game and steals per game have risen every season. If that happens again, he might inherit Shaq’s MVP award.

GREG FOSTER

No.: 40 Hgt: 6-11 Wgt.: 250

Pos: Center Age: 32

Season: 11th School: Texas El Paso

The Trail Blazers added 12 fouls for Shaq. Here’s six back at ‘em.

RICK FOX

No.: 17 Hgt: 6-7 Wgt.: 242

Pos: Forward Age: 31

Season: 10th School: North Carolina

A heady player who gets the gist of the triangle, Fox is keeping the small forward spot warm for Bryant.

DEVEAN GEORGE

No.: 3 Hgt: 6-8 Wgt.: 220

Pos: Swingman Age: 23

Season: Second School: Augsburg (Minn.)

The Lakers like his athletic ability and a shot that one day could make him valuable. For now, he remains a project.

HORACE GRANT

No.: 54 Hgt: 6-10 Wgt.: 245

Pos: Forward Age: 35

Season: 14th School: Clemson

Grant is the power forward that Coach Phil Jackson begged for last season. The Lakers hope he’s got a season or two left in him. He’s a free agent at the end of the season.

RON HARPER

No.: 4 Hgt: 6-6 Wgt.: 215

Pos: Guard Age: 36

Season: 15th School: Miami of Ohio

The Lakers required 105 games to win their NBA championship last season. Harper’s knees might not have 105 games left in them.

CORY HIGHTOWER

No.: 1 Hgt: 6-8 Wgt.: 200

Pos: Guard Age: 21

Season: Rookie School: Indian Hills (Iowa) CC

Jackson believes Hightower lacks a position, that he’d have to eat his way into small forward. He has a reputation as a shooter.

ROBERT HORRY

No.: 5 Hgt: 6-10 Wgt.: 235

Pos: Forward Age: 30

Season: Ninth School: Alabama

He doesn’t believe his power forward days are over. If he misses 65 of 94 three-point attempts and shoots 43.8% overall again, he’ll be right.

TYRONN LUE

No.: 10 Hgt: 6-0 Wgt.: 175

Pos: Guard Age: 23

Season: Third School: Nebraska

He has the raw speed to take Derek Fisher’s defensive place, but he’ll have to convert his slash-and-dish style into something that better fits the triangle.

MARK MADSEN

No.: 35 Hgt: 6-9 Wgt.: 240

Pos: Forward Age: 24

Season: Rookie School: Stanford

He’s the secret weapon, a third power forward ground out of grit and relentlessness. He may ultimately become Rodman, without the body art, the impetuousness, the self-absorption, the . . .

SLAVA MEDVEDENKO

No.: 14 Hgt: 6-10 Wgt.: 250

Pos: Forward Age: 21

Season: Rookie From: Ukraine

The Lakers like his bulk and his game, but Med Dog might be a year away from any serious contribution. His willingness to grind under the basket makes him the rare Eastern European banger.

SHAQUILLE O’NEAL

No.: 34 Hgt: 7-1 Wgt.: 315

Pos: Center Age: 28

Season: Ninth School: Louisiana State

Shaq is fast becoming the Ali of the NBA; all flare and substance, charisma and charm. Ask Greg Ostertag. Imagine what he’d look like with free throws too.

ISAIAH RIDER

No.: 7 Hgt: 6-5 Wgt.: 215

Pos: Guard Age: 29

Season: Eighth School: Nevada Las Vegas

If he behaves, the Lakers should return to the NBA finals. If not, Rodman gets a new roommate in Newport Beach.

BRIAN SHAW

No.: 20 Hgt: 6-6 Wgt.: 200

Pos: Guard Age: 34

Season: 12th School: UC Santa Barbara

The veteran offense initiator when Harper is tired, sore or pacing himself. Jackson viewed him as an irreplaceable part.

INJURED: Derek Fisher (guard); STATUS TO BE DETERMINED: Mike Penberthy (guard); COACH: Phil Jackson; ASSISTANTS: Bill Bertka, Tex Winter, Frank Hamblen, Jim Cleamons.