O’Neal Has Seen Few Better

Shaquille O’Neal changed his mind twice Wednesday afternoon, then decided Kobe Bryant’s 42-point game the night before was the third-best of Bryant’s career, behind Game 4 of the 2000 NBA Finals in Indiana and the night last season he beat Seattle with a record 12 three-point baskets.

On a sprained ankle, Bryant scored 28 points and had the game-winning shot in overtime against the Pacers. He scored 45 points against the SuperSonics, at one point making nine consecutive three-pointers.

As good as any, perhaps, and O’Neal wouldn’t get a lot of argument from Bryant, who by Wednesday didn’t look as if he had the strength for a debate anyway. By his estimate, he’d slept three hours Tuesday night before flying before dawn to Colorado, entering a not-guilty plea and returning to Los Angeles, where along with O’Neal he led the Lakers back into the Western Conference semifinals.

Told O’Neal had ranked his games and rated him, “the best player ever,” Bryant smiled wearily.

“I appreciate it,” he said. “For me, it’s just about contributing, trying to help us win every game.”

Three years ago, O’Neal called Bryant his idol, a moment Bryant still smiles over.

“That was funny,” he said. “I always said I was too small to be his idol.”

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O’Neal’s free throws have started to fall. In the past six quarters, he has made 14 of 19 from the line.

Asked why he’s making them suddenly, O’Neal said, “Because I have to.”

It’s that sort of logic that had him practicing from a foot behind the line during Wednesday’s practice. For a couple of weeks, O’Neal has varied the distance on his free throws, adjusting from a few inches off the line to more than a foot, which can’t possibly be a good idea.

And yet ...

“Because when I’m down in the paint getting fouled, I’m always in ‘strong’ mode,” he said. “When I shoot the first [free throw], I’m still in ‘strong’ mode.”

So, he said, his shot is often long and off the heel of the rim or the backboard. By stepping back, his theory goes, he compensates for that.

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Former Laker Robert Horry has made one three-pointer in the series, which is one more than he made in last year’s conference semifinals, but that’s about all.

He played a total of only 19 minutes in Games 3 and 4, and the Spur coaches are said to be worried he lacks an emotional edge against his former teammates.

Phil Jackson was asked Wednesday if he’s surprised Horry hasn’t played a larger role in the series.

“I don’t know if that’s a loaded question and I don’t want to answer it,” he said. “We know how much of an impact Rob can have on a ballgame. And, right now, we just want to let sleeping dogs lie.”

After a moment he added, “I really didn’t want to use the word ‘dog’ there.”