Shaq Turns Down World

Shaquille O’Neal, after briefly reconsidering last year’s stance that he was retired from international competitions, has officially turned down the invitation to play in the world championships next summer.

Like his former Orlando Magic teammate, Penny Hardaway, O’Neal is, however, keeping the door open for a possible return for the 2000 Olympics. His agent, Leonard Armato, notified Rod Thorn, chairman of the selection committee for USA Basketball and the NBA’s senior vice president, of the decision by the Laker center.

“I told him Shaquille has participated with the world teams a number of times straight,” Armato said. “I think he just wants to take next summer off.

“But the Olympics are very important to the sport and USA Basketball, so he’ll look at 2000 as it gets closer. Obviously, he has time between now and then.”

O’Neal has already participated in both tournaments, winning a gold medal in the 1994 world championships in Toronto and in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. He may reconsider for the Sydney Games because of the elevated status of the Olympics--a decision sure to be supported by the corporations that pay millions for his endorsement.

“They certainly wanted him to go,” Armato said of the ’98 competition. “But he was also under no pressure to go. They were supportive of his decision.”

Forward Tom Gugliotta of the Minnesota Timberwolves was chosen to replace O’Neal for the tournament in Athens. That makes it a 10-man roster again, with two players to be added around the end of the regular season, but also leaves the United States without a center, or at least no one beyond true power forwards Chris Webber and Vin Baker.

Laker Coach Del Harris will be an assistant for the United States. Rick Fox probably will play for Canada.

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O’Neal scored 15 of his 26 points in a decisive third quarter as the Lakers routed the Clippers, 116-85, in an exhibition Friday night at St. Louis.

O’Neal also had 10 rebounds in 29 minutes. Fox added 15 points and Eddie Jones 11 for the Lakers.

Rookie Maurice Taylor led the Clippers with 15 points. Keith Closs, a 7-foot-3 rookie, added 14 points.

The Lakers outscored the Clippers, 43-18, in the third period to take a 91-52 lead.

Elden Campbell missed game against after to tend to personal business in Los Angeles. He is expected to rejoin the Lakers either today in Kansas City, Mo., against the Cleveland Cavaliers or Tuesday in Denver.

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Nike is the official uniform supplier for 10 teams, including the Lakers, creating a conflict for O’Neal, a cornerstone of Reebok’s marketing campaign.

O’Neal had a piece of black tape covering the logo on his warmups when he walked onto the court in St. Louis on Friday night.

“I’m not supposed to be creating controversy,” O’Neal said. “I’m employed by Reebok and Warner Bros. Sports, and they told me to not to worry about it, to chill out. I’m doing it because I’m loyal to Reebok and Warner Bros. sports.”

The logo is not on the uniform itself.