LOS ANGELES (AP) The star-laden Lakers usually start one of the NBA's finest front lines. Lately, they've been forced to go with one of its worst.

No wonder times have been tough.

``Every season has to have its roller-coaster ride,'' Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. ``It's just part of going through the campaign. The adversity builds character in the team.

``Sometimes, you almost have to instill it if things go too well.''

Jackson hasn't had to instill anything in this instance.

The Lakers began the season with four potential Hall of Famers _ Karl Malone, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and Gary Payton _ and were heavy favorites to win their fourth NBA championship in five years.

They won 18 of their first 21 games, and were in the midst of raising their record to 20-5 on Dec. 21 when Malone sprained a ligament in his right knee.

Then, on Jan. 2, O'Neal left with a strained right calf in the second quarter of what turned out to be a 111-109 loss at Seattle.

Neither has played since, and both will miss at least one more game.

In addition, Rick Fox hasn't played since undergoing surgery on his left foot eight months ago. He figures to start when fully healthy, which the Lakers hope will be soon.

``Until they're back and playing as well as they can play, we're going to hold our breath,'' Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said of the injured players. ``The rest of the guys are going to have to forget about them for the time being.''

That's a tall order considering the abilities of those who are out.

Instead of starting Malone, Fox and O'Neal up front, the Lakers have been going with Devean George, Slava Medvedenko and 38-year-old Horace Grant.

``When you get used to playing a certain style of basketball, the void that's left behind, not having those two studs back there really changes the physicality of a team,'' Jackson said, referring to Malone and O'Neal. ``We become soft or weak, and weak-minded as a result.''

That was certainly the case in recent games at Minnesota and Denver. The Timberwolves beat the Lakers 106-90 and the Nuggets embarrassed them 113-91.

That extended the Lakers' overall losing streak to four games and their road losing streak to six.

The Lakers (22-11) rebounded Friday night by beating visiting Atlanta 113-67, but that's no great achievement considering the Hawks (10-27) are one of the NBA's weakest teams.

``We can't allow one win, even a big win like that, to be too satisfying for us,'' Jackson said. ``It won't do us any more good to keep this win in mind than if it were a loss.''

Still, it was a much-needed victory _ only the second in eight games since Malone was injured and the first since O'Neal went out.

Defense has been the main problem recently _ no surprise considering the inside presence of Malone and O'Neal.

Defense isn't the strong point for George, Medvedenko or Grant, who is playing out of position at center.

O'Neal believes the root of his injury is his right big toe, which has bothered him for years. He had surgery on the toe in September 2002. He said the pain is causing him to walk or run with his right foot pointed outward instead of straight ahead, putting pressure on his calf.

Asked if he was concerned about O'Neal's injury, Kupchak replied: ``Until the players are out there playing to their level, you're always going to be concerned about any injury.''

Jackson hopes both O'Neal and Malone will be able to play by late this week.

Recovering from offseason surgery on his shoulder and knee and under the spotlight of a sexual assault charge, Bryant hasn't played to the level of last season.

Neither has the 35-year-old Payton, who has expressed anger on a few occasions, most recently after the loss at Minnesota.

``I didn't sign up for this. This is bull. I'm talking about everything,'' he said.

After cooling off, Payton added: ``We still gotta play. I guess everything needs to get better. I can't pinpoint anything. There are a lot of guys who are frustrated right now.''

Jackson said the Lakers aren't a real emotional team, and that's OK with him.

``I don't like drama queens out there playing basketball, personally,'' he said. ``There still has to be passion.''

That's been lacking lately.