Players Second Shaq’s Emotion

While few were familiar with the actual mechanics of helping someone win a most-valuable-player award, the Lakers loved Shaquille O’Neal’s sentiment.

When O’Neal said he would dedicate his season to helping Kobe Bryant be the NBA’s best player, and to being sure Bryant was recognized for it, teammates who lived through the difficult moments of their relationship warmed at the gesture.

“I think one of them is going to get it, that’s for sure,” Rick Fox said. “I’d think either one of them would deserve it.

“For years going forward, they’re going to be passing that torch back and forth, whether it’s year to year or night to night.”

As for O’Neal’s decision to publicize his intentions, Fox said, “That’s Shaq’s desire to see Kobe be recognized, in appreciation for how much easier he makes his game.

“I think they’ve grown to a definite appreciation for each other. That’s what got us out of that pit last year.”

Coach Phil Jackson, who before Saturday night’s exhibition game against the Sacramento Kings said he was considering making Bryant a co-captain with O’Neal, said he believed everyone would benefit.

“He’s got the maturity,” Jackson said of Bryant. “I think what everyone will be watching is how well he continues to be a playmaker, and a force on the defensive end. The other parts come naturally for him.”

All of the things Bryant did, as it turned out, last postseason.

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Jackson, sarcastically, calls his final roster decisions “momentous,” primarily because he keeps getting questions about them and he hopes to make reporters feel ridiculous for asking. Can’t happen, of course.

But, four cuts are coming in the next week or so, and to those involved, the choices made by Jackson and General Manager Mitch Kupchak will be fairly significant.

If the Lakers keep big men Jelani McCoy and Dickey Simpkins, there won’t be room for small guards Joe Crispin and Mike Penberthy.

Jackson talks about the unfinished McCoy as a long-term project, so the assumption is he’ll stick.

Simpkins understands the offense and can play center, which makes him valuable at least until Samaki Walker and Slava Medvedenko get up to speed.

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Walker started at power forward against the Kings at Thomas & Mack Center....Bryant cut his bottom lip in the first quarter, had it glued, and returned several minutes later. He scored 30 points in a 109-104 Laker loss. O’Neal scored 21 points....The Lakers are 1-4 in the exhibition season.