http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0217/1510376.html Jackson: O'Neal has doctor's appointment Tuesday ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ESPN.com news services EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Shaq-Yao II will not come off as scheduled. Asked if he would play Tuesday night against Yao Ming and the Houston Rockets at Staples Center, Los Angeles Lakers star Shaquille O'Neal told ESPN as of 3 p.m. ET on Tuesday that he wouldn't play. O'Neal is listed as questionable because of a sore left knee, and he's also bothered by soreness in his right big toe. He sat out Sunday night's 117-110 loss to the New York Knicks and didn't practice Monday. Coach Phil Jackson told ESPN that O'Neal has a doctor's appointment Tuesday afternoon. O'Neal said Monday he wasn't close to being 100 percent. "I tried to suck it up and be out there with the guys, but when [San Antonio Spurs center] Kevin Willis was dusting my ... up the court the other day, then I knew something was wrong," O'Neal told the Los Angeles Times. "[My knee] has always bothered me. "But, the other day, I thought, 'He's 40 years old and he's killing me up the court.' I only get five rebounds [against San Antonio]. I'm slow to the ball. I just looked bad. Real bad." Kobe Bryant also sat out practice but is listed as probable for the game against Houston. The three-time defending NBA champion Lakers are 23-15 with O'Neal this season and 3-10 without him. "I want to win the whole thing, not just win games," he said. "I want to get right before I come back." Meanwhile, the anti-inflammatory medication O'Neal fears will someday threaten the quality of his post-basketball life has taken none of the sting out of his injuries, and he told ESPN he would stop taking the medication. Asked how he felt Monday, he told the Los Angeles Times, laughing, "Like Bill Walton" The Lakers have a busy week -- after facing the Rockets, they play Wednesday night at Utah; Friday night at home against Portland, and Sunday night at home against Seattle. Averaging 25.9 points and 10.6 rebounds, O'Neal underwent surgery on his arthritic right big toe Sept. 11 and missed the season's first 12 games, with the Lakers going 3-9. One of those losses was a 93-89 setback to the Rockets at Staples Center on Nov. 17. Yao shot 9-of-9 in scoring 20 points -- by far his best NBA game to that stage. The Rockets also won a 108-104 overtime decision over the Lakers in Houston on Jan. 17 when O'Neal and Yao faced off for the first time. O'Neal won the individual battle with 31 points and 13 rebounds to 10 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks for Yao, but the Rockets won the game. The Rockets (27-24) enter this game with a one-game lead over the Lakers (26-25) for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff berth. ### Chris
As fun and interesting as it would be to see Yao and Shaq battle tonight I am in favor of whatever will help the Rockets win and Shaq not playing will do that (sans the Rockets thinking that because he isn't playing they think this game is a cakewalk and lose because of it). Yao torched the Lakers last time he played them without Shaq and I expect him to do the same thing tonight if the Rockets are going to get a win. Chris
I'm not believing it until tip-off. I wouldn't put it past Phil Jackson to have Shaq say that he is sitting out. The Rockets are fragile enough that they would get complacent if Shaq sits, and if he walks out for tip-off, the Rockets would panic. Not a bad strategy either considering how the Rockets have played lately. I do hope he sits, the Rockets could use another quality win, especially over the team that is chasing them.
Meaningless game!?!? It is a huge game for the Rockets to put distance between themselves and the Lakers to secure the 8th spot. It is a HUGE game. Just because the Yao-Shaq battle is not taking place does not take away the significance of the game. Does it take away some of the "sizzle"?, perhaps. But the significance is still there! The same significance as with the Suns game the following night. Chris
Warning, You are attempting to argue with someone who has been afflicted with Mad Yao disease, who believes that nothing else in the world now matters accept for Yao stats, and how Yao does against other centers. You must abort your mission
Actually, if you had "Mad Yao disease" you would be relieved Shaq isn't playing. It takes Yao about a week to recover from that battle. I wonder, does Phoenix fans have Mad Stoudemire Disease if they don't criticize their ROY candidate?
RIET makes a great point. How great would it be if Shaq does NOT play tonight. As RIET said, if he played it would take a lot out of Yao and Yao probably would be really run down for the Suns game the following night. This could be a huge godsend for the Rockets if they take advantage of this. I am not holding my breath, but am trying to stay positive. Chris
Shaq or no Shaq it is still a meaningful game...i am sicked of the rockets this is an easy win for us mentality. If Yao don't get at least 15 shots we will lose.
I think he just doesnt want to take the chance of being embarrassed...again. Another Nationally televised game against Yao, if he isn't 100% he knows he will look bad....real bad. I can understand why he would pull out of tonights game, but I still think its pretty chicken s@&* of him ~JB~
That's exactly what Shaq implied. He mentioned that "40 year old Kevin Willis" made him look really bad out there, so it makes sense not to suit up for a younger Yao.
I just hope Rockets don't lose focus after they know Shaq isn't going to play. They need to be mentally prepared.
If the Rocks win, it also gives them the season series against the Lakers, and if they both end up tied, the Rocks go through. DD
Anybody else think Kobe goes for more than 53 tonight? Alan Houston has the league high this year of 53 (against the Lakers). Kobe will want to top that, and who better to do it against than Cat who is worrying about what team he will be traded to.
Well obviously Shaq respects Ming's game with his comment that he could barely hold his own against Kevin Willis, so he wouldn't even ATTEMPT to against Yao Ming!! The Funny thing is ESPN's site and radio hyping the game's importance anyway and Pissed that they lose out on one of the largest viewed games ever like the last one hahahah! Patrick Bermann from ESPN radio said that Shaq was so-so but could have a case of Mingitis because he wants to only go against Ming at 100% and doesn't want to if he's not feeling great.
I predict a season high in points for the Cat. I will also say that Kobe won't go for more than 25pts. No Shaq all Cat makes Kobe a dull boy.
