SAN ANTONIO VS. LOS ANGELES PHILADELPHIA VS. MILWAUKEE

Wednesday, May 30 Lakers' Grant again has a tough challenge ahead Associated Press EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- First, Rasheed Wallace. Then, Chris Webber. Now, Tim Duncan. The Los Angeles Lakers knew they needed an upgrade at power forward this season for these kinds of situations. The Lakers won their first championship in 12 years last June despite often being outmanned at the position. A.C. Green and backup Robert Horry played hard and, at times effectively, but didn't match up physically with the likes of Wallace, Webber and Duncan. Horace Grant, a 6-foot-10, 245-pounder, matches up better. "This is a fun time for me," he said as the Lakers prepared for the Western Conference finals, which begin Saturday at San Antonio. "My goal all season has been to reach the playoffs. I think I've stepped up my game starting with the first series. "There's no other place I'd rather be than here right now." The Lakers, and center Shaquille O'Neal, are glad to have him. Before Grant's arrival, O'Neal often asked the team to acquire a "thug rebounder" to provide some inside help. Grant has done that. Wallace wasn't as effective as usual in the Lakers' first-round sweep of Portland, averaging 16.7 points and 8.0 rebounds while making only 37.3 percent of his shots. Webber averaged 26.3 points and 12.7 rebounds, but shot only 42 percent. The 7-0, 260-pound Duncan, the runner-up in the NBA's MVP voting, figures to be a tougher test. He is averaging 25.0 points and 15.4 rebounds in the playoffs while shooting 49.2 percent. "I said through the first two series, no one guy is going to stop a great player," Grant said. "It's going to be a whole team effort. I'm just going to try and limit his touches, try to push him off the block, deny him the ball. "If I can stay out of foul trouble, I think we'll be OK. " Horry, who backs up Grant, has proven to be a capable defender and all-around player, but doesn't have the bulk to consistently match up with someone like Duncan. Lakers coach Phil Jackson said he'd rather have the 7-1, 330-pound O'Neal guard Duncan, with Grant guarding David Robinson, another 7-footer. "I don't think he could stay out of foul trouble," Jackson said of O'Neal. "That's the reason they (the Spurs) don't put Duncan on Shaq." Jackson did say O'Neal would guard Duncan at times, but that was no reflection on the smaller Grant. "Horace gives great effort, he's an honest player, he doesn't take flops, he's going to work hard," Jackson said. "It's great to coach a player like that." Grant is effusive in his praise for Duncan. "He's got amazing footwork, he's got a jump-hook, left and right," Grant said. "He has such a sweet touch from outside, his moves inside are like Kevin McHale's, he's a great defender." Grant's offense also will be a major factor in the best-of-seven conference finals; he's shooting 51.1 percent while averaging 7.9 points and 6.5 rebounds in the playoffs. "I've got to make that jump shot so they can't sag in (on O'Neal)," Grant said. Grant also expressed respect for the Spurs, who won an NBA-high 58 games during the regular season. However, the Lakers have been the best in the playoffs, having won seven games without a loss to extend their winning streak to 15. They haven't lost since April 1. "It's tough," Grant said. "This is the playoffs. If we don't win, we go home. I'm not ready for a vacation right now." Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories