Shaq Attack Works

The season is over, the stories keep coming.

In the moments before the pivotal Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers in June, Coach Phil Jackson turned to Shaquille O’Neal and said, “Don’t be afraid to block a shot tonight.”

Two nights before, in a Game 1 loss, O’Neal hadn’t blocked one.

Already angry about the loss that put the Lakers in their first hole of the postseason, O’Neal stared at Jackson.

As captain, it is O’Neal’s pre-game task to bring his teammates into a circle. He says, “1, 2, 3,” they say, “Lakes!” and then the game starts.

Only, O’Neal wouldn’t say it. They looked at him. He looked at Jackson. Seconds passed. Finally, from the back, veteran Horace Grant said, “Uh, 1, 2, 3.” They said, “Lakes?”

And then O’Neal blocked a season-high eight shots, tying a finals record, in the Lakers’ 98-89 victory. The Lakers won four consecutive games for the championship and O’Neal was the finals most valuable player.

Reached in Orlando, Grant laughed at the memory. “That happened,” he said.

Divided into teams of five and dressed in Kurt Rambis red, Frank Hamblen purple or Jim Cleamons yellow, the Lakers scrimmaged full-court Monday afternoon.

The early view:

Brian Shaw and Robert Horry are in great shape and already playing well. Even if he’s not polished enough to start, Samaki Walker has made the Lakers quicker and more athletic.

Mike Penberthy, who spent the off-season thinking defense, is more aggressive on offense.

Slava Medvedenko might never pass up a shot.

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Bryant is expected to arrive Thursday, probably in time for the early evening practice. The funeral for his grandfather, John Cox, is today in Philadelphia .... Jackson is considering giving the players Wednesday off. The Lakers began camp three days early because of the scheduled trip to Japan. When the trip was canceled, the team owed the players three days, per the collective bargaining agreement .... Mitch Richmond, already fighting swelling in his right knee, was kicked in the calf and limped through some of the scrimmage.