Shaq Has Left Karl Singing His Praises

By J.A. ADANDE

May 12, 1998 12 AM PT

Before the Western Conference semifinals began, Seattle Coach George Karl pointed out all of the illegalities in Shaquille O’Neal’s game.

Now, after five games capped by a 39-point eight-rebound, seven-assist, five-blocked shot performance Sunday by O’Neal, Karl is offering only the highest praise.

“I must give Shaq credit now,” Karl said Monday in Seattle. “He is the most difficult guy to prepare for in the NBA. Michael Jordan was the most difficult. Shaq now, with his intelligence and his passing and his patience, he has added to his game over the last three or four months. He is a very good, tall man to prepare for.”

Nate McMillan’s 12-year NBA career is coming to a close, and he is going quietly into the night.

McMillan, who will retire after the season, has played in only one game in this series, a nine-minute appearance in Game 2.

Part of the problem is the Lakers have gone either real big or real small, with both Derek Fisher and Nick Van Exel in the lineup. McMillan, 6 feet 5 and several steps slower than in his prime, can’t match up.

“The thing is, we want to do what’s best for the team,” McMillan said. “We can’t be concerned about ‘McMillan’s last game’, because we don’t feel that way. We feel we can get this game tomorrow and move on to Thursday.

“I think it would be selfish to prepare that way. If [Karl] feels that I can be a part and I can do the things he needs me to do on the floor, then put me on the floor.

“But the thing of, this-could-be-his-last-game-so-let’s-play-him . . . we play to win.

“I’m not sitting around moping,” he said. “I know it’s coming to an end. I’ve always prepared myself.”

Detlef Schrempf, when asked if the team felt like it needed to win to support the effort put forth by Gary Payton: “Is this Gary’s last hurrah or something? There’s all of us.

“For some of us, time is running out,” said Schrempf, 35. “I’m not playing for Gary. I’m playing for all of us.”

Karl will celebrate his 47th birthday today in what could be his final game as the SuperSonics’ coach.