O’Neal Still Feels the Pain, but Is Ready to Return

While seemingly no more satisfied with the health of his feet, Shaquille O’Neal said Sunday night that he expects to play against the Phoenix Suns on Friday, when he can be activated from the injured list.

“The troops need their general,� he said. “The troops need their Patton. So, Patton will be back.�

O’Neal spoke before the Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets, 114-90, on Sunday at Staples Center. They have lost twice, to the Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors, in four games since O’Neal went to the injured list.

“I didn’t want to do the drug treatment, I wanted to do the natural treatment,� he said. “But I just got to do all the drug stuff now. I have to get it shot up, whatever.

“If it gets real ugly, I’ll just have to get the surgery after the season to get rid of it. I’m not thinking about that really, but I’ll have to do the drugs now.�

O’Neal had hoped to avoid anti-inflammatory medication, because it upsets his stomach, and because he fears its effect on his kidneys.

He concedes that it appears to be the only way to treat his right big toe, which is arthritic, causing him great pain when he runs and jumps.

Surgery would create greater mobility in the toe and, apparently, eliminate some of the pain, though team physician Steve Lombardo called that a distant option.

In the meantime, O’Neal has resumed cardiovascular work with the intention of returning to the court, despite his foot problems.

“Got to,� he said. “The guys need me.�

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Mitch Richmond was signed this summer to shoot but did not play in two games last week in the midst of a team-wide shooting slump. Richmond has shown a sense of humor about it, even as the Lakers lost five of nine games.

Stuck with too many guards in too short a rotation, Phil Jackson insisted Sunday that Richmond would be allowed to help soon enough. There are, however, reasons he has overlooked the former all-star.

“Well, one is, he’s got to help us if he’s going to play,� Jackson said. “We’ve got to figure out if this is the type of game he can help us in or not. Other than that, I’m just doing what it takes to win ballgames.�