O’Neal Is Miffed at Jackson Again

Phil Jackson said Friday night he did not expect Shaquille O’Neal or Kobe Bryant to play until late next week sometime, if at all, to which O’Neal replied, “Phil Who?”

Uh-oh.

With a week and a half before the regular season, Bryant not only can’t play, he has been only an occasional presence in camp, and O’Neal apparently is saving himself for opening night. Horace Grant has a concussion, did not play Friday night in a 91-84 victory over the Phoenix Suns and has been advised to sit out Sunday’s game in Bakersfield. Brian Cook had surgery earlier this week. Jamal Sampson left Friday night’s game because of back spasms. Rick Fox is out approximately until Christmas after foot surgery.

On the floor, Gary Payton and Karl Malone are holding up the best they can under trying circumstances, not the least of which being that very few of their new teammates are playing well.

Beneath that, along with lingering issues of Bryant’s legal proceedings and contract extensions for O’Neal and Jackson, O’Neal walked into the locker room Friday night and let it be known that he was unhappy with Jackson. It is in recent years at least a semi-annual event, but notable again given that the Laker distractions are mounting.

“I had two Phils in my life,” he said, referring to his coach, Jackson, and his stepfather, Harrison, as he slipped into the trainer’s room. “I only got one now.”

O’Neal did not elaborate, but it had seemed their relationship was holding up under the usual early-season issues.

Though O’Neal last played in the second exhibition game, Jackson has not publicly questioned the severity of the bruised heel that has kept him out. Also, there have been none of the usual observations from Jackson about free throws or conditioning or weight.

Jackson said Friday night he was mystified about why O’Neal was upset. Two weeks ago, the coach had told The Times, “Whatever goes on, I think we’ve got, ultimately, a lot of respect for each other.”

*

Bryant attended the Lakers’ shoot-around Friday morning, stayed late to shoot jumpers, and apparently was at Staples Center during the evening. O’Neal said he did not expect to play Sunday, but Jackson refused to be definitive.

“I want to keep that option open in case there’s a miraculous healing or there’s instant conditioning that could happen to either one of them,” he said. “But that won’t probably happen between now and Sunday.”

Only Thursday night, Jackson said he had hoped for a few minutes out of Bryant.

“He’s not ready to play,” he said. “I think it’s more conditioning than knee.... The fact he hasn’t been able to practice, we’d just as soon not have him play unless he’s pretty much up to speed.”

*

Grant, who suffered a concussion during Tuesday’s game in San Diego, will be examined Monday by a neurologist at Centinela Hospital Medical Center. He hoped to be cleared to participate then.

When Grant rose and walked across the locker room Friday night, Derek Fisher fell to the floor and wrapped his arms around Grant’s legs.

“I’m sorry, Horace,” cried Fisher, who led the Lakers with 18 points against the Suns on Friday night. “I’m so sorry.”

Grant laughed. It was Fisher’s pass that struck Grant’s head, causing the injury.

“I’m not taking offense to what you did,” Grant said.

*

O’Neal will host a charity event Monday night at New Avalon in Hollywood to benefit the Lakers Youth Foundation, the Staples Center Foundation, Real Model Foundation and the Odessa Chambliss Foundation. There will be performances by Brian McKnight, Mike Epps and Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry Jam. Gary Payton and Karl Malone are among those expected to attend. Information: (213) 742-7166.