Whomever the Lakers drafted last Thursday would have picked up the traditional rookie chores such as fetching balls after practice. But the truth is that Brian Cook and Luke Walton became the Lakers' draftees because they do have unselfish leanings.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson intends to get his team to be more generous with the ball and more helpful defensively next season. Cook and Walton, in town Wednesday to meet with Lakers officials, were chosen in large part because their games fit those ideals.

"Growing up, I watched all the old Celtics-Lakers matchups in the '80s, and they were two of the best passing teams ever," Walton said. "That's the way the game is supposed to be played. And ever since I was little, that's the way I've played."

Said Cook: "I just know that you need your teammates to win."

The Lakers were surprised to see Cook drop to their pick at No. 24 overall, they have been tracking Walton for a long time. They were interested a year ago when there was talk Walton, who attended Arizona, might declare early for the draft; this spring, Lakers scouts saw the 6-foot-8 Walton in two workouts and were further impressed that he had slimmed to 232 pounds.