O’Neal in a Good Mood -- on Some Topics

More of the same from Shaquille O’Neal on Tuesday.

Before the game, he sits on a metal chair in front of his locker, heat packs on his knees, legs pushed out in front of him, toenails painted shimmering green, like Christmas cookies.

Smiling, talking about heading back to New Jersey, where he’ll visit his beloved great-grandmother tonight, about his holdings in Newark, about whether they’ll ever build that arena downtown.

Chatting with Robert Horry, with his uncle, Jerome Crawford; with a reporter about his abdominal exercises, the 10 pounds or so he has lost in the last two weeks, down to 342 now, heading, he says, to 325.

He gets on all fours, folded towels beneath his knees, and rolls the ab wheel out a few feet, then back.

“See?” he says. “Not too far. So it doesn’t hurt your back. Try it.”

Then, the predictable question about the team, about the Lakers’ start, and the predictable reply. He answers with a dull stare, then leaves for his pregame massage.

“It depends on the week of the month with Shaquille,” Coach Phil Jackson said of his center’s mood. “It’s changeable, probably related to the moon. He’s been jovial and funny and playful and somber and angry and respectful, all those things, within the last two weeks. But right now, he’s in a good mood. I think he feels good about what he’s doing, feels good about the way he’s playing. He’s got more energy to play the game with.”

Amazingly, Jackson caused none of those moods.

“I would say that’s not atypical of the way he is,” Jackson said. “Some of it depends upon getting ready for the game, motivating his teammates, defending himself against barrages you guys lay at his feet.

“For the most part, I like his attitude right now. He’s concerned about the team. And I think he’s providing a leadership role.”

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Kobe Bryant is scheduled to appear on “The Late Show With David Letterman” tonight.... Horry started at power forward for the second consecutive game.... O’Neal continues to maintain a weightlifting regimen, now three days a week instead of five.... Although the Target Center did not sell out, the Lakers lead the league in road attendance, averaging more than 19,000 a game.