Lakers: Walton delivers in exhibition victory, BY ROSS SILER, Staff Writer
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The sample size is admittedly small - only six exhibition games played in half-filled arenas - but Lakers forward Luke Walton has looked anything but shaky when it comes to shooting the ball this season. 
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Walton hit 5 of 9 shots in the Lakers' 113-106 victory over New Orleans on Friday night and is shooting 54.5 percent for the preseason - remarkable considering Walton has been a 41.5 percent shooter for his career. 
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With his shot falling, Walton has been able to show off his full skill set on the floor. 
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He finished with 12 points and four assists Friday at Staples Center and is averaging 9.2 points and 4.2 assists. 
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"He's playing with a lot of confidence," Lakers assistant coach Kurt Rambis said. "I think there were stretches of last year where he was overly concerned with his shot and I think that brought some of his confidence down when he wasn't hitting his shot. 
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"But I think he's got a nice stroke right now and the rest of his game is there, the defense, the rebounding, the ability to pass the basketball. He's got a good head on his shoulders. He's really coming into his own as a player." 
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The snapshots from Friday better tell the story of Walton's night. He knocked down fadeaway jumpers inside, found cutters from the high post and drilled two 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. Walton even posted up Hornets forward Peja Stojakovic in the third quarter and flipped in a left-handed shot in the lane. 
"I worked on it all summer and it's just confidence," Walton said. "I feel great with the ball. I'm comfortable right now. I'm not really worried about missing." 
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The Lakers have opted not to start Walton even with Vladimir Radmanovic injured, instead counting on him to lead an inexperienced second unit with the likes of Jordan Farmar and Ronny Turiaf. 
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But Walton was on the floor at the end of Friday's game as the Hornets closed to within six points in the final two minutes. Walton said of finishing games, "That's more fun than starting." 
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The Lakers were led by Maurice Evans with 27 points and Lamar Odom, who narrowly missed a triple-double with 17points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. 
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Injury report: The Lakers traded one sprained ankle for another Friday as guard Sasha Vujacic was unable to play but forward Brian Cook returned after sitting out the night before. Vujacic is day to day. 
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That again left the Lakers with 10 available players and eight injured players only 11 days before the season opener. 
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Jackson's return: The Lakers are hopeful that coach Phil Jackson can return for the team's final exhibition game Thursday in Anaheim. It would be Jackson's first game back after undergoing hip-replacement surgery Oct. 3. 
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Star treatment: Lakers owner Jerry Buss will be honored Oct. 30 with a television star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Buss is credited with helping launch the Prime Ticket sports network in 1985.