No Pity for Hacked Shaq

While the NBA could take an evaluative look at Shaquille O’Neal’s various issues with its referees, Phil Jackson said Monday that he doubts the rest of the league holds much sorrow for the 340-pound guy with the jump hook.

“Having gone through the reign of Michael Jordan,” Jackson said, “at the beginning of the season there’d be new rules to stop Michael. It’s the same thing with Shaq.

“So, we anticipate there’s not going to be a little sympathy. We’re the champions, he’s the MVP player in the league, and everybody would like to see his efficiency decrease, somewhat.”

Jackson suggested that three games off would aid in O’Neal’s recovery from a sore arthritic big toe, an ailment that flared again during the road trip.

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The Lakers were 3-2 when O’Neal was on the injured list from Dec. 25 to Jan. 3. The toughest game in the next three is Saturday, when the Lakers play at San Antonio.

“It puts us in a situation where it’s a fat chance we might be leading this conference by the All-Star break,” Jackson said, then added wryly, “which, of course, as you all know, is a thrill for me.”

If the Lakers had the best record, Jackson would be required to coach the Western Conference All-Stars in Philadelphia on Feb. 10.

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Mitch Richmond was fined $5,000 on Monday for an obscene gesture directed toward a fan in Detroit on Jan. 8. The incident occurred at The Palace at Auburn Hills, late in the Lakers’ 121-92 victory over the Pistons.

Richmond apologized publicly shortly afterward and did again in a brief conversation with General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

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The Bulls took exception to something Kobe Bryant said about payback in Los Angeles.

“Kobe can say whatever the ... he wants,” Charles Oakley said. “Talk don’t scare me. We’re not going to back down. They put their pants on the same way we do, unless they got two zippers.”

The Bulls come to Staples Center on Feb. 6, a day after a World Wrestling Federation event on the same floor.

Tim Brown