Bryant, O’Neal Have Something in Common

Watching Kobe Bryant struggle through the limitations placed on him by his body, earthbound more than ever before, it’s apparent that we have seen this before.

One year ago it was Shaquille O’Neal, slow to get back in shape after delaying his toe surgery, who labored on the floor. He was a presence, but not dominant.

They’ve switched places now. O’Neal is more active on the defensive end, leaping to block shots and snatch rebounds, his game above the rim again. Bryant’s legs don’t give him enough lift on his jumpers or finishing ability around the hoop.

Interestingly, even though they have both walked in these shoes, they won’t bite on a suggestion that they share a common experience.

“No, not really,” Bryant says. “What I don’t have this year is the ability to just get to the rim and elevate over guys, to blow by guys. But I can get around that. It’s coming back.”

O’Neal sounded a similar theme when asked to recall his predicament last year.

“I was still getting 27 [points] and 10 [rebounds],” O’Neal said. “I wasn’t getting up, no. Physical-wise I couldn’t do what I did, but number-wise I still did what I did.”

Coach Phil Jackson sees Bryant trying to work his way through it.

“I’m trying to encourage him to move out and shoot shots till he gets those legs back underneath him,” Jackson said.

Bryant has yet to panic, sounding like his usual optimistic self.

“My legs are coming back gradually,” he said. “You kind of take your time. Feel your way through.”

We’ve seen this situation before -- even if Bryant and O’Neal don’t want to acknowledge it.

Sights

For all of their accomplishments and financial success, something about the battle between Jackson and Dallas Maverick owner Mark Cuban brings out the child in both of them. While Cuban talked to reporters in the Staples Center hallway after Dallas’ victory over the Lakers on Friday night, Jackson walked up behind him with a huge grin and yanked Cuban’s ear.

“I love you too, Phil,” Cuban said as Jackson walked away.

Sounds

Karl Malone, talking about O’Neal and Gary Payton wearing his No. 11 white jersey during the national anthem before last Sunday’s game against the Utah Jazz, which Malone missed because of a suspension:

“It was an unbelievable gesture. They told me to make sure I watched the game, they had a surprise. Gary’s jersey was very loose, and Shaq’s jersey was very tight.

“Now I’ve got to wear that thing on a Sunday.”

Faces in the Crowd

Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore, Jack Black, Ellen DeGeneres, Dec. 7 vs. Utah

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dustin Hoffman, Spike Lee, Chris Rock, Garry Shandling, Tuesday vs. New York.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Maria Shriver, Kevin Costner, James Worthy, Friday vs. Dallas.

In a Word

“Whoopie-frizzeakin-dizzle.”

O’Neal’s reaction to being named Western Conference player of the week.