Shaq Wanted to Silence Jackson

On two unstable ankles and a toe as flexible as a two-by-four, Shaquille O’Neal took the rebound over two San Antonio Spurs that led, finally, to Kobe Bryant’s game-winning shot Sunday.

“I knew I had to get it,” O’Neal said. “I didn’t feel like hearing Phil’s mouth.”

Phil Jackson had suggested last week that O’Neal rebound more, criticism meant as constructive and taken as critical. Since then, on the wings of Jackson’s mouth, O’Neal has 26 rebounds in two games.

On the Lakers’ final possession, their first attempt to beat the Spurs was Robert Horry’s, from the right corner, his usual spot. His shot hit the rim. The rebound bounced high and long, and O’Neal went higher than he’d been in months to grab it.

“I got my shot blocked a couple of times. I knew we needed that rebound, so I went up and got it,” O’Neal said.

O’Neal made nine of 18 shots for 22 points and had five assists, two in the fourth quarter that set up Bryant jumpers. Generally, he was displeased again with his game, but suggested he had scheduled extra treatment for his ankles and toe.

“I was active. But I didn’t have the explosion I usually have. But I will have that on Tuesday,” he said. “I’ll have the explosion on Tuesday. I’ve got a little secret working that I’m going to see on Monday. He’ll fix me up and I’ll be ready on Tuesday. It’s important that we play good, solid basketball and try to close this team out.”

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Jackson has dealt with strong personalities. Asked if O’Neal’s reminded him of anyone, he broke out an old Chicago favorite.

“You’ll probably take it wrong, but it’s a little like Dennis Rodman,” Jackson said. “Dennis was a person you wanted to deliver a message to individually. He’d miss it in a mass meeting if you spoke in generalities. If you spoke in metaphors he’d certainly miss it. So, a lot of them had to be direct exchanges.

“Most of the time, [O’Neal] is right on cue. We connect before ballgames, usually to see how he’s doing.”

Told that O’Neal is a practice regular, Jackson defended Rodman. Sort of.

“Dennis went to all the practices,” he said. “I never had trouble with Dennis in practices. Sometimes we had to send Jack Haley to go get him. But he came.”

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Horry, who felt he was fouled during a drive to the basket in Game 3 but got no call, told of a conversation he had with an official.

“I couldn’t call it, because you were out of control,” Horry said the referee told him.

To which Horry responded, “How do you know I’m out of control? Maybe I’m just an awkward [guy].”