Salley Understands Predicament

Backup center John Salley, who has not left the bench in six of the Lakers’ last seven games, says he understands Phil Jackson’s desire to play Shaquille O’Neal as much as possible, but added he is ready to provide quality play whenever the coach needs him.

In those seven games, one a double-overtime loss at Utah, O’Neal averaged 46.3 minutes. The Lakers are 3-4 in those games, although each loss was to a probable playoff team.

“You know, [O’Neal] made a comment one time that Tree Rollins was the best backup he had,” Salley said after practice on Thursday. “I said, ‘Well, back then, [when O’Neal was with Orlando] you weren’t playing so many minutes, and they went with their experience.’

“Now that he has all the experience and understands his height and his weight and his strength. . . . I mean, wouldn’t you ride him? You’d ride him until he breaks down. . . .

“I mean, he’s played well, he’s in shape, he’s got his weight down. . . . Hell, yeah, I want to play, Phil knows that.”

Salley said he has stuck with his pregame routine and remained in tune with the action.

“There was a guy named David Greenwood, played at UCLA . . . came to Detroit my second championship [season],” Salley said. “Did not play one minute during the regular season. And in the playoffs against Portland in the finals, he played 11 minutes, had 11 points and 11 rebounds, because he stayed in shape.

“So I understand staying in shape, staying professional, when your number’s called, being able to perform.”

TONIGHT

vs. Milwaukee, 7:30

Fox Sports Net

* Site--Staples Center.

* Radio--KLAC (570).

* Records--Lakers 33-9, Bucks 23-19.

* Record vs. Bucks--1-0.

* Update--This five-game Western Conference trip starts off with a back-to-back bang for the high-scoring Bucks (103.8 points a game, third in the NBA). There is tonight’s game, then on Saturday, Milwaukee plays the SuperSonics in Buck Coach George Karl’s first trip to Seattle since his departure from the SuperSonics.

* Tickets--Sold out.