Jackson Perks Up Over All-Star Gig

By TIM KAWAKAMI

Feb. 10, 2000 12 AM PT

Coach Phil Jackson said he is looking forward to coaching the Western Conference team in Sunday’s All-Star Game in Oakland for one particular reason, and it is not the contest itself.

“My three daughters are coming to the game and that’ll be fun to see them,” said Jackson, who has made his distaste for the spectacle of the exhibition well known.

“San Francisco’s a great city . . . “

Jackson, a veteran of two earlier stints as the Eastern Conference coach, said he also wants to get a chance to be around some of the Western Conference stars.

“I think it’s going to be fun to get to know some players,” Jackson said. “I got to know a lot of players out in the East by having the opportunity to coach in the All-Star game . . .

“[And another positive is] that it’s really a nice building to hold this event in . . . [The Arena in Oakland] with the crowd-friendly type seating. . . . I think it’s really a nice place for an All-Star game. It’s not too big.

“I coached one in San Antonio at the Alamodome, which is like, ‘Who’s there and where are they?’ ”

Shaquille O’Neal, voted onto the starting team alongside Kobe Bryant, said the All-Star game--his seventh--has become a regular part of his routine.

“I’m a veteran now,” O’Neal said. “So I’m going to get as much rest as possible. It’ll be all right.”

“The good thing about the weekend is hanging with the kids, acting silly . . . a couple of the parties, seeing people.”

Though the trade rumors are coming fast and furious and promise to keep coming until there is a Laker deal or the deadline--Feb. 24--comes and goes, Jackson said his players weren’t being hurt by them.

“Talked to the team about holding their breath and then . . . it’s over and then they can all exhale,” Jackson said with a smile. “Don’t get caught up in the things that you have no control over.”

Asked how he evaluated his team’s performance as the All-Star break was arriving, O’Neal was to the point:

“I’ll give us a 79.8 out of 100. It’s a high-C, but in this locker room, it’s not good enough.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

TRIPLE PLAYS / The Big 3

Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant and Glen Rice have been the driving force behind the Lakers’ success. How they fared:

O’NEAL

*--*

Wed. Season 37 Points 28.0 16 Rebounds 14.2 3 Assists 3.5

*--*

BRYANT

*--*

Wed. Season 24 Points 22.5 5 Rebounds 6.1 4 Assists 4.3