Trade Talk Won’t Distract Rice; Anderson and Skinner Sidelined

Glen Rice, still sniffling and coughing from the upper-respiratory infection that caused him to sit out Sunday’s game, said Tuesday that Coach Phil Jackson knows he will continue to give his best effort despite constant speculation that he could be traded at any time.

“I try to demonstrate by coming here, working as hard as possible, trying to be as positive as I can be,” said Rice, who is being paid $7 million this season and will be a free agent at the end of it.

“In some situations, you’re going to be talked about in trades. It’s something that’s out of my control, I don’t worry about it. Right now, I’m here and I’m trying to do the best I can for this team. And I’ll continue to do that as long as I’m here.”

Does he think his recent shooting slump can be traced to the trade possibilities?

“I try to go out there and hit the shot regardless of the rumors being said all the time or [if] I’m hurt or anything,” said Rice, who made eight of 11 shots against the Clippers. “I try to go out there and shoot as well as possible, and I haven’t been shooting it the way I would like to.

“But I’m sure it’s going to turn around.”

Shaquille O’Neal, walking by, chimed: “Just as long as you’re there in the playoffs. I’ll hold the fort until then.”

Said Rice: “I want it to come around before that.”

Jackson said that he has been happy with Rice’s performance this season.

“I’ve really congratulated him on keeping himself as professional as possible during the period of time when there’s so much speculation on his availability, his being a part of a trade,” Jackson said.

“I’ve thought he’s kept his head in the game, he’s kept his mood positive, he hasn’t lost his concentration, [although] he hasn’t shot as well as I’d like to him to shoot. . . .

“But he basically stepped up a level from training camp to the regular season and helped us win a number of games before Kobe [Bryant] got back.”