As Usual, Shaq Makes Difference

Rick Fox leapt at Shaquille O’Neal, not because he wanted to, but because someone had to. They both fell hard to the gym floor. On the way back to his feet, O’Neal nodded. He could appreciate Fox’s courage.

Laker practices aren’t the same since O’Neal joined: not a lot of finger rolls anymore, not much lane space, and not much room for the unsure. The front-court players had their chances the last two weeks, but now O’Neal is playing as hard and long as his developing conditioning will allow him, and, as a whole, the Lakers are starting to resemble the Lakers again.

Fox’s sack was the final act of Sunday’s practice. A few possessions before, when O’Neal stormed to the rim on a fast break, Lindsey Hunter grabbed him from behind and held tight. O’Neal flipped in a layup and said, “Better get to the weight room, little [man.]�

There are long stretches when the basketball looks nothing like basketball, when O’Neal pounds and stomps and dunks without conscience in the absence of referees, when he reminds everyone why they’re going for three titles in a row.

“There are fewer brave big men,� Fox said, smiling. “There are fewer brave penetrating guards. That’s why I look forward to seeing him out there in a preseason game, against somebody else.�

The Lakers play Golden State on Tuesday night in Bakersfield. It’s beginning to look like they’ll need O’Neal more than ever, given their lack of depth at power forward, a rolling theme during training camp.

While game and athletic and personable, Samaki Walker will need serious coaching and time to become familiar with the offense. Jelani McCoy seems further away still. That leaves Robert Horry and a healing Mark Madsen. Fox on Sunday volunteered to play some power-forward minutes, and Coach Phil Jackson will consider a plan that would push Kobe Bryant to small forward and allow the Lakers to take advantage of their guard depth.

“If it weren’t for Robert, I’d be scared to death,� Fox said, “because these people are so new. They have to learn the position.

“This is different than anything [Samaki] has been a part of. He’s working extremely hard. He’s got a great attitude. He’s very athletic.�

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The first cuts are expected today. Jackson said he’d be less likely to trim from the big men while so unsure about the power forwards. ... About two-thirds of McCoy’s $565,850 is guaranteed, so he would seem to be a very difficult cut. ... The Lakers finished Sunday’s practice not with their usual “1,2,3 Lakes!,� but with “The Lord’s Prayer.� ... The Lakers have 20 players on the roster and must reduce to 14 before the season opener on Oct. 30 vs. Portland at Staples Center.