KNICK NOTES
LOS ANGELES – The Knicks got a wonderful surprise 10 minutes before tipoff at Staples Center last night – Shaquille O’Neal was out of commission.
O’Neal complained that his surgically repaired toe and his left knee were so sore he was going back on anti-inflammatory pills.
So Laker coach Phil Jackson elected to sit him against the center-poor Knicks – who benefited in the end by winning, 117-110.
“I’m doing bad, I’m hurting,” O’Neal said. “I can’t play like this. I’m going to have to get back on the medicine. I just hope it don’t mess me up on the inside.”
It wasn’t until near tipoff the Lakers announced O’Neal would sit out, giving Don Chaney’s group no time to prepare.
Jackson worked the media 90 minutes before gametime, giving hints that O’Neal would miss a game soon, omitting his status for last night.
O’Neal’s absence put in jeopardy his second showdown vs. Yao Ming on Tuesday.
“I think there’s a good chance that Shaquille needs to perhaps sit a game,” Jackson warned. “We need to evaluate how long a period it is to get back to 100 percent.”
The medicine O’Neal will take has upset his stomach in the past, and has been linked to kidney ailments.
*
The league buzz has every team looking to slash future payroll to ensure reduced luxury tax. The Knicks now fall into that category.
But the Blazers, whom the Knicks face tonight, perhaps are the lone team that doesn’t have the luxury tax on their minds with billionaire owner Paul Allen. So their 12-deep roster and willingness to add payroll is why the Blazers were a prime suspect to make a trade by Thursday’s deadline, though they have nothing cooking.
The Knicks have made several calls to the Blazers but the talks have been superficial, with no specific offers exchanged.