Shaq Calls Bank Shot for Jackson

Shaquille O’Neal isn’t running the Lakers. Nor is he representing Phil Jackson in contract negotiations.

But the Miami Heat center, never one to keep personal opinions bottled up, said he knows a good starting point for Jackson, who is said to be pondering a return to coaching next season.

“As a friend of Phil’s, he shouldn’t take no less than $15 million [annually],” O’Neal said Friday. “I care for Phil. Whatever Phil wants to do, I’m happy for Phil.”

Jackson’s request last year for a two-year, $25-million contract extension was rebuffed by the Lakers.

O’Neal, who played under Jackson for five years with the Lakers, said he missed Jackson’s poise.

“It was refreshing to come in the locker room during bad times and bad situations and see him not worried [about] being down a game in the playoffs,” O’Neal said. “Once you see your man is like that, you know everything’s OK.”

Kobe Bryant also weighed in on a possible reunion between the Lakers and Jackson. Bryant continues to be lukewarm to such a scenario, although he doesn’t consider it a longshot.

“I think it’s a real possibility,” he said.

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The Phoenix Suns, pegged by most experts to be bit players in the league, are 41-13 overall and 13 games ahead of the Lakers in the Pacific Division.

The Suns average a league-best 110.2 points a game and will be represented by three All-Stars in Sunday’s game -- Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion.

“You all are going to make predictions on us and every year you’re going to be wrong,” Marion said. “We’re just out there playing ball, having fun.”

Nash, who leads the league with 11.5 assists a game, said he wasn’t overly surprised by the Lakers’ struggles.

“Any time you take Shaquille O’Neal out of the equation, there’s going to be a huge adjustment,” Nash said. “I think more of a surprise is how quickly our team has jelled.”

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Nash, born in Canada and, as such, a hockey fan, said he hoped the NBA wouldn’t experience the same labor strife as the NHL.

The NBA’s collective-bargaining agreement expires in July and a lockout is possible, but owners and players face a much smaller chasm of disagreement than the NHL did.

“I think we’re going to resolve it,” Nash said.

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The sophomore team defeated the rookie team, 133-106, in an exhibition between the first- and second-year players Friday at Pepsi Center. Carmelo Anthony had 31 points for the sophomores and was selected the MVP of the game.... The dunk competition and three-point contest take place tonight at Pepsi Center. LeBron James will not compete in the dunk competition because of a tender ankle, but Stoudemire represents a rare appearance by an All-Star player in the competition. The three-point contest also features an All-Star, Seattle SuperSonic guard Ray Allen.