Don't ask Phil Jackson if Pau Gasol is soft

HAIR GETS IN HIS EYES: Sasha Vujacic, who scored a career playoff-high 20 points in the Lakers' 87-81 Game 3 victory, got an assist from the longtime director of the Laker Girls midway through the season.

Lisa Estrada noticed Vujacic was constantly wiping his shaggy hair out of his eyes during games, so she made a few suggestions to remedy the situation.

Vujacic decided on a black suede hair band, and it's done the job just fine.

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GENERATION GAP: The Celtics' Rajon Rondo has a blog, where he has been updating the status of his injured left ankle that he said was OK heading into Game 4. Asked about the blog, Boston coach Doc Rivers drew chuckles when he said, "I have one. Nobody knows about it."

"Yeah, it's definitely different generations," Rivers added. "Guys like them, so I don't get in the way of them, so long as what goes on in Vegas stays in Vegas, if you know what I'm saying?"

Rondo's blog, http://www.yardbarker.com/users/RajonRondo, has included other thoughts on his first appearance in the playoffs as well.

The postings update his fans on his naps and trips to various malls and frequently end with, "I'll holla!" But Wednesday night's entry included information on the ankle injury that kept him out of practice that day.

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NO INDIVIDUAL SPORT FOR KOBE: With Tiger Woods competing in the U.S. Open in the San Diego area, Lakers coach Phil Jackson was asked if he could ever imagine Kobe Bryant trying an individual sport, where he wouldn't have to be concerned with teammates.

"No, I don't think so," Jackson said. "I think the only other sport that truly is dear to Kobe would be soccer, but it's not an individual sport."

Michael Jordan tried baseball for a couple of years in the 1990s, but was a flop. Jackson and Jordan teamed to win three NBA championships before Jordan left, and three more after he returned.

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DEFENSE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE: After winning only 24 games last season, the Celtics became instant contenders with the acquisition of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, joining Paul Pierce to comprise the Big Three.

Surprisingly, though, the team's focus from the start has been on defense.

"It had to, because if it didn't, we wouldn't be here," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. "It started the first day. Right after the big press conference, we sat in the back and we talked, had a long talk, and the only thing I brought up was defense. It was great because Kevin Garnett was the guy standing up saying, `Listen, he's right. We're not going to win unless we can play defense and commit to it."'

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ASHANTI's ANTHEM: Grammy Award-winning singer Ashanti will perform the Star Spangled Banner on Sunday night before Game 5. All national anthem performances during the NBA finals will be televised live in the U.S. and to a worldwide audience in more than 200 countries and territories.