Through Pain, O’Neal Scores 17

Seven weeks since surgery, Shaquille O’Neal’s toe is better than it was last season, but not much.

“It’s killing me,” he said.

On Aug. 29, doctors attempted to correct O’Neal’s claw-toe deformity. He practiced Thursday for the first time, and on Tuesday night he started against the Golden State Warriors in an exhibition game at Centennial Garden.

In 20 minutes, O’Neal had 17 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks, and generally ran without a grimace. He said he suffered a slight sprain of his left ankle, but that he’d practice today.

“I was all right,” he said. “I just have to get my wind back. [But] I think I did pretty good for only running for four days.”

Two weeks before opening night, O’Neal said he’s playing at about 40%, considering both his sore toe and lack of conditioning. He did not run for six weeks after surgery.

“I’m just trying to see how far I can go,” he said.

Coach Phil Jackson started O’Neal at center, Slava Medvedenko and Rick Fox at the forwards and Kobe Bryant and Lindsey Hunter in the backcourt.

Bryant scored 23 points in 28 minutes and Medvedenko scored 13 in 18 minutes in the Lakers’ 114-97 victory. They are 1-2.

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On their way from 20 players to 14 by Oct. 30, the Lakers waived veteran guard Dennis Scott and rookie forward Paul Shirley.

Scott, who sat out last season, said he came away from training camp--17 days of it--sure he could return to the NBA, somewhere.

“I convinced myself, and I realized I took the challenge of trying out for the best team,” he said.

Scott said he was told there were too many guards to keep him, and that the team had to hold onto its frontcourt players in hopes that the power-forward situation settled in time for the regular season.

Many of the Lakers will miss the affable Scott. Not only is he among O’Neal’s closest friends, he had a leadership edge to him. In his short stay, he took it upon himself to help Samaki Walker with his free-throw shooting and Peter Cornell with his jump shot.

“I’ve gotten healthy and I know I can play,” Scott said. “And [General Manager] Mitch [Kupchak] and Phil said that if another team calls, I’d get high recommendations.”

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The center-court section of the Forum floor will be put up for auction on eBay from Oct. 29 to Nov. 14. Bidding starts at $100,000.

The package includes a game of one-on-one with Magic Johnson.

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Minutes before the game, Mark Madsen greeted the crowd from midcourt via the public address system. As is Madsen’s custom, the message was in English, then Spanish, and fans adored him for it.

Madsen, who had surgery on July 3 to repair a torn ligament in his left wrist, can practice today for the first time.