Parker Learns From Playoff Collapse

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">EL SEGUNDO ? Smush Parker came to the Lakers a year ago more curious for his name than his game.

He wound up being the only Laker to start all 82 regular-season games, even though he spent part of the previous season in the NBA Development League.

Parker's breakthrough season didn't end well, with Phoenix's two-time MVP Steve Nash dominating him after Parker had predicted a Lakers series victory. Parker shot 33.3 percent in the playoffs, including 4 for 26 (15.4 percent) from three-point range, with just 1.6 assists per game.

Asked about such a sour taste at the end of something so sweet, Parker on Wednesday called it a "learning experience."

"We're going to be a better team this year because of it," Parker said. "And I'm going to be a better player because of my experience last year."

Parker, 25, followed through on Coach Phil Jackson's request to work on his in-between game over the summer after succeeding mostly on drives and three-pointers last season. Parker relayed his plans for this season: "Play hard on defense and try to be a better floor leader to my teammates."

The Lakers would like to see Parker be better able to organize the triangle offense this season, enabling Lamar Odom to dive into the post position more often. But if Parker goes cold at inopportune times again, the Lakers believe they have a new, largely anonymous guard who will contribute: Shammond Williams.

Although Williams is 6-foot-1 to Parker's 6-4, Sasha Vujacic's 6-7 and Aaron McKie's 6-5, the Lakers expect Williams to be a dependable shooter who can also defend smaller guards. Jackson cited Williams and primary free-agent signee Vladimir Radmanovic on Monday when talking about improving the team's shooting.

Williams, 31, comes to the Lakers after playing the 2004-05 season in the Russian Superleague and last season in the Euroleague. But he is not an accomplished offensive organizer.

Parker sprained his right shoulder diving for a ball in the Lakers' opening practice Tuesday and didn't play Wednesday. But in a demonstration of his increased stature on the team this season, Parker was allowed to serve alongside the Lakers coaches as referees for practice-ending scrimmages.</div>

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