LOS ANGELES ? For two whole seasons in San Antonio, Samaki Walker spent his mornings pushing and perspiring, trying to do behind closed doors what virtually no one else in the NBA could do out in the open.

Stop Tim Duncan.

And although Walker still won't admit just how often he failed in that seemingly futile pursuit, he does concede it happened more regularly than he'd like to remember.

"There were many times," Walker said, "when he schooled me."

But that's the funny thing about being taken to school. If it happens often enough, you eventually start to learn something.

Walker proved as much on Sunday in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals, using some old lessons to frustrate his old tormenter and help lead his new team, the Los Angeles Lakers, to an 86-80 victory at Staples Center.