It’s Early but a Backup Gains

The only Laker with a non-guaranteed contract continues to earn his keep.

Backup point guard Tierre Brown, the last player to make the team, has been playing a larger-than-expected role despite less-than-concrete financial security.

Brown, with his fourth NBA team in as many seasons, had a 13-point, five-assist game Sunday against the Atlanta Hawks, the best this season for a Laker point guard.

Brown has played as well as starter Chucky Atkins, but his contract is not guaranteed because Karl Malone might decide to come back after recovering from knee surgery. The Lakers have only 14 players under contract and Malone would receive a 15th guaranteed contract, the maximum for NBA teams.

If Malone comes back and Brown is still playing well, the Lakers might have to waive a player with a guaranteed contract. But if Brown isn’t playing well, he will be the first one to go if Malone returns.

Brown, who is not included in the team media guide, said he didn’t need to be shown the money.

“This is one of those situations where you just never know,” he said. “I can’t worry about the things I can’t control, just worry about the things I can. I just try to do what I’ve been doing, bring high energy to the game and hope it will affect the team so we can pull a victory out in the end.”

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Waiting at the end of the Lakers’ compact, complicated trip -- four games in five nights -- is an emotional reunion for Coach Rudy Tomjanovich.

Tomjanovich, who spent more than 30 years in Houston as a player, scout and coach, returns to face the Rockets on Saturday.

“There will be a lot of emotion going on,” he said. “I’ve been a very lucky guy, had a lot of wonderful things happen to me. I’ve had some crazy things, bad things happen. This will be another one of those nice-feeling things. The people of Houston have been great to me. I’m going to try to enjoy the moment the best I can.”

Tomjanovich played for the Rockets for 11 seasons, was a scout for two years and became an assistant coach for almost nine seasons before taking over as head coach in February 1992. He stepped down after being diagnosed with bladder cancer in March 2003 and was a scout for the 2003-04 season. He was hired in July to coach the Lakers.

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Among the many tests for the Lakers on their trip will be center Chris Mihm’s ability to hold his own against quality counterparts.

He will start tonight against an All-Star, Jamaal Magloire of New Orleans, finish against another All-Star, Yao Ming of Houston, and play two solid defensive centers in between, Stromile Swift of Memphis and Kelvin Cato of Orlando.

“I know a little bit of what to expect,” Mihm said. “I played Jamal quite a bit in the Eastern Conference the last four years and he’s a tough player. I know I’m going to have some good tests on this road trip.”

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Caron Butler is day-to-day after spraining an ankle Sunday against Atlanta.

“It’s tender, said Butler, who had 22 points on 10-for-14 shooting before coming down on Royal Ivey’s foot. “We’ll see what happens ... with all the swelling. I’m going to try to be out there.” ... Jim Cleamons, an assistant with the Lakers for five seasons under Phil Jackson, is an assistant under Hornet Coach Byron Scott.

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TONIGHT

at New Orleans, 5, Ch. 9

Site -- New Orleans Arena

Radio -- KLAC (570); KWKW (1130).

Records -- Lakers 2-2; Hornets 0-3.

Record vs. Hornets -- (2003-04) 1-1.

Update -- The Hornets made the playoffs last season as a member of the Eastern Conference, but they are finding their first season in the West to be more challenging. They are 0-3 for the first time since 1994. Point guard Baron Davis is averaging 27.3 points.