O’Neal Cleans Up as All-Star

Shaquille O’Neal, who missed the Lakers’ first 12 games because of toe surgery in September and has averaged 26.4 points and 10.8 rebounds since, was named an All-Star reserve for the Western Conference on Tuesday.

Despite far superior numbers, O’Neal finished well behind Houston center Yao Ming in the fan balloting, announced last week.

O’Neal has congratulated Yao and his family for being selected a starter for the Feb. 9 game in Atlanta.

On Tuesday afternoon he declined comment as he left the Lakers’ practice floor, saying he’d be back after a shower. O’Neal did not return.

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Kobe Bryant said he was over all that ailed him last week, from the tendinitis in his knee to the move from Pacific Palisades to Newport Beach.

He spent most of Tuesday’s practice at full speed and above the rim, just in time for three games (Phoenix, Sacramento, Utah) in four days.

“Bring it,” Bryant said, grinning. “We’re up against some tough teams. Looking forward to it. It’s exciting.”

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The question to Coach Phil Jackson was whether the Lakers were working toward a trade as the deadline approaches, about three weeks away, or if he believed a trade necessary.

The answer: “These guys are intensely devoted to what they’re trying to do, 10 of these guys coming back to win a fourth championship. For some reason or another, they have not been able to collectively lay an effort on the line. I have looked for every source that I could possibly look for, for something, an element that could keep us from playing for each other and with each other. At this point, I can’t come up with a combination.

“If we could improve ourselves with some godsend, we’d be idiots not to, so we have to stay open to that. But there’s no need to change the chemistry of this team simply to upset the balance. I think everybody wants to pull together and I think everybody has dedicated themselves to doing that again....

“All that being said, what happens in the NBA usually doesn’t happen until after the All-Star break. To be viable and competitive by All-Star time is really our goal. If there is an opportunity for us to increase our talent pool on this team, through a godsend, someone gets rid of a salary, or wanting to get a placement in the draft, whatever, that could be an advantage we might find.”

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Kareem Rush, who has a strained hamstring, participated in some of Tuesday’s practice. Afterward, he said he was improved and would be able to play tonight against Phoenix. The team will decide today if he will go on the injured list.

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TONIGHT

at Phoenix, 6 PST

Channel 9

Site -- America West Arena.

Radio -- KLAC (570), KWKW(1330), KIRN (670).

Records -- Lakers 19-23, Suns 26-20.

Record vs. Suns -- 1-1.

Update -- Penny Hardaway (thumb surgery), Jake Tsakalidis (back surgery) and Tom Gugliotta (fractured foot) are out. With the 7-foot-2 Tsakalidis on the injured list, the Lakers like to go through O’Neal. When O’Neal had 36 points and 16 rebounds on Jan. 5, they won. When he had 25 points and nine rebounds the night before, they lost.