Jackson knows he can’t play everyone

The Lakers are close to getting two more players back, making their injury-ravaged days seem a little more distant.

But the influx leads to a new problem: How will Coach Phil Jackson find time for everybody?

“I’m not,” Jackson said. “It’s just not going to work.”

With Aaron McKie’s strained back getting better by the day, the Lakers are closer to plugging him into an already crowded backcourt consisting of Smush Parker, Jordan Farmar, Sasha Vujacic, Shammond Williams, and Kobe Bryant.

“Usually the NBA’s a three-guard, perhaps four-guard rotation at best,” Jackson said. “I’ve been able to play four guards over the years when we’ve had relatively good teams and that’s even a stretch to be able to do that.”

In the frontcourt, Kwame Brown is expected to return Friday against Detroit after sitting out three weeks because of shoulder problems.

“We know we have a problem,” Jackson said. “Very shortly it looks like we’ll have 14 players available to us on any given night.”

The Lakers can activate only 12 of their 15 players on game days. They currently have McKie, Brown and Chris Mihm on their inactive list, which must be submitted to the official scorer an hour before every game. Mihm is still weeks away from returning from ankle troubles.

The Lakers now face a problem of a different type -- remember, they had eight players sit out an exhibition last month because of injuries -- but the predicament was more or less predicted by Jackson.

He has already addressed the team about a negative aspect of being deep, specifically for the three players who have to be on the inactive list.

“They’re probably going to be affected, probably going to be a bit angry that they’re not dressed for the game,” Jackson said. “They’re going to have to make it through it and come out the next day and practice hard.”

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Many NBA players have shown the effects of representing their countries over the summer at the world championships in Japan.

But Ronny Turiaf has not appeared to be fatigued, acting instead as a source of energy for the Lakers.

He acknowledged that playing for France was “very, very, very draining,” although he drew a compliment Tuesday from Jackson for his energy.

“I think that’s the reason why we were enamored with him as a college player, his ability to play with that enthusiasm,” Jackson said. “It’s infectious to the team.”

France was eliminated fairly early in the competition, allowing Turiaf more time to rest than many other NBA players who competed in the championships.

TONIGHT

at Portland, 7, Ch. 9

Site -- Rose Garden.

Radio -- 570; 1330.

Records -- Lakers 4-1; Trail Blazers 2-2.

Record vs. Trail Blazers (2005-06) -- 2-2.

Update -- The Trail Blazers were a league-worst 21-61 last season, but they already have victories over Seattle and Minnesota. Power forward Zach Randolph is averaging 26 points and 10.3 rebounds.

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