Even though Wally Szczerbiak tried to be nice and friendly to Shaquille O'Neal at the All-Star Game, scooting his chair over a few inches so the big man would have more room on the Western Conference squad's bench, it didn't earn him much goodwill.
Heading into the Timberwolves game Wednesday, the Lakers center had questioned Szczerbiak's 34 points in the Wolves' 120-102 victory on Jan. 11.
"He's not the type that's supposed to get (34 points)," O'Neal said. "He's a hustle player, but he's only supposed to get 10-12." O'Neal then challenged teammate Kobe Bryant to shut the Wolves' shooting guard down.
Well, it worked both ways Wednesday night. Szczerbiak scored only 14 points on 4-for-10 shooting. But Bryant scored only four of his 20 points in the second half and shot 8-for-25. That left him 17-for-52 over his past two games at Target Center.
"I just tried to make him earn everything," Szczerbiak said. "He got some chippies in the first half and got off quick, got a couple layups on the break and a couple offensive rebounds. But for the most part, when I was on him one-on-one, I just made him shoot over me and take a tough shot.
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Coach Phil Jackson wasn't out of line last weekend when, sizing up the Timberwolves, he claimed to see "fear in their eyes."
Like it or not, there have been times -- in losing 15 in a row on the Los Angeles Lakers' floor dating back to 1993, in getting pounded inside by Shaquille O'Neal with no cavalry or firemen in sight -- when one or more Wolves players gladly would have slipped out a back door with time left on the game clock. Word is, a whisper of "Dyan Cannon" can cause shivers, and certain Wolves past or present can't watch a Jack Nicholson movie without breaking into a cold sweat.
So Jackson's facts weren't necessarily off. But his timing was.
The Wolves left their fear in the locker room -- if it was there anymore, anyway -- and beat the Los Angeles Lakers 112-101 Wednesday night at sold-out, snarling Target Center.
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Shaquille O'Neal dismissed the Timberwolves' acquisition of Marc Jackson with one word.
"So?" he said Sunday, unimpressed by the Wolves and their attempt to upgrade as the Western Conference playoff race heats up.
That was about all the deep thought the self-dubbed Big Aristotle cared to expend on the topic, although he was equally unmoved by Dallas' maneuver to close the gap by adding Raef LaFrentz and Nick Van Exel. "Won't work," he expounded to reporters in New York that day.
Still, the Wolves -- who face Shaq and the NBA's two-time defending champion Lakers on Wednesday at Target Center -- finally might be able to offer a snappy retort to O'Neal's "So?"
Some back-alley bon mot along the lines of "Oh yeah?" Or even "So yourself."
O'Neal might not see it, but the Wolves (38-18) consider themselves to be a lot tougher inside than they were just six days ago. They look it, thanks to Jackson's naturally wide frame and bowling-ball grace in the lane. And they feel it, in the way they gave what they only used to get, in terms of physical play, Saturday at San Antonio and against the Hornets on Monday in Charlotte.
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Lakers Feb 2002 Archive
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| Feb 27, 2002
Timberwolves guard Wally Szczerbiak thought about the question while sitting on a chair after practice Tuesday and watching newly acquired Marc Jackson work on drills across the court.
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| Feb 26, 2002
The Bucks have not had the good fortune of catching the Lakers on one of their "down" periods this season.
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| Feb 26, 2002
There is no doubt that Detroit's Ben Wallace is one of the most ferocious defenders in the NBA today, but is the Pistons forward finally getting the respect he deserves? We think so.
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| Feb 25, 2002
The Los Angeles Times are reporting that legendary commentator Chick Hearn is recovering well from a broken hip and could be back sooner than expected.
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| Feb 22, 2002
On one small level, one of the most celebrated NBA players ever to leave high school directly for the pros couldn't imagine being LeBron James.
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| Feb 22, 2002
Branson Wright of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports: Apparently, Kobe Bryant has more than a solid jumper and a quick first step to the basket.
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| Feb 22, 2002
Shaquille O'Neal hasn't seen a high school basketball game in years.
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| Feb 22, 2002
CHARLOTTE
The mere mention of Shaquille O'Neal can cause many coaches around the NBA to grimace.
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| Feb 22, 2002
We never thought it would really happen: Los Angeles Lakers Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant functioning as equal partners.
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| Feb 20, 2002
LOS ANGELES - In a town known for final act twists, the Celtics managed to out-Hollywood the Lakers last night.
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| Feb 20, 2002
OS ANGELES - The return of Shaquille O'Neal was expected.
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| Feb 17, 2002
Ron Harper is a year younger than Michael Jordan, yet he is using his ex-teammate as a mentor and a guide in hoping to come back to the NBA.
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| Feb 16, 2002
Shareef Abdur-Rahim scored 12 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter Friday night in another stirring performance as the Hawks held off a Lakers rally from 19 down in the second half.
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| Feb 15, 2002
This was going to be Kobe Unshackled.
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| Feb 15, 2002
Even without Shaquille O'Neal, the Lakers loom large.
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| Feb 15, 2002
HIGHLIGHTS: Gary Payton made more shots left-handed (2) than right-handed (1) in the first quarter.
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| Feb 15, 2002
The Sonics didn't have to deal with Shaquille O'Neal's thunderous dunks, spike blocks, body blows and mean stares.
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| Feb 14, 2002
The Seattle SuperSonics' test against the best continues tonight with a visit by the world champion Los Angeles Lakers.
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| Feb 14, 2002
In his last two on-court appearances, Kobe Bryant was named the MVP of the NBA All-Star Game and recorded a triple-double against Michael Jordan and the Washington Wizards.
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| Feb 14, 2002
When: 7 tonight.
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| Feb 12, 2002
The Lakers might have their troubles against the Grizzlies, Nuggets and especially the Bulls.
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| Feb 11, 2002
They once booed Santa Claus in this city, so it should come as no surprise that they let a native son have it full bore, both barrels, as well.
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| Feb 11, 2002
When Kobe Bryant was introduced as a starter for the Western Conference All-Stars, most fans applauded the Philadelphia-area native.
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| Feb 11, 2002
Philadelphia
- Kobe Bryant was ready to have the time of his life in his hometown of Philadelphia during All-Star weekend.
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| Feb 11, 2002
Mark it down.
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| Feb 11, 2002
The eventual MVP of the 2002 NBA All-Star Game, the former star of suburban Philly's Lower Merion High basketball team, said he was upset with the Bronx cheers his hometown serenaded him with Sunday at First Union Center.
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| Feb 11, 2002
So that's one difference between Jordan and the younger version of himself.
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| Feb 11, 2002
Kobe Bryant returned home to Philadelphia a few days ago, feeling proud of his basketball roots and anxious to create some memories in the NBA All-Star Game.
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| Feb 11, 2002
Tracy McGrady made the play of the game, but it was Kobe Bryant who played the game better than anyone else Sunday night.
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| Feb 11, 2002
Kobe was the star amongst stars Sunday
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| Feb 10, 2002
Ron Harper faces a dilemma.
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| Feb 10, 2002
From the L.
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| Feb 9, 2002
Tim Povtak of the Orlando Sentinel reports: Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal, admitting that problems with his feet could end his basketball career prematurely, said Friday he will consider more surgery this summer, idling him for 3-4 months.
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| Feb 7, 2002
Brand will strut his stuff in Philadelphia this weekend
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| Feb 7, 2002
Sometimes things happen without an explanation, they happen but how is a mystery.
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| Feb 6, 2002
The encore is finally here, David and Golliath; the rematch.
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| Feb 5, 2002
The Yankees lost Game 7 to the Diamondbacks.
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| Feb 4, 2002
Shaquille O'Neal does not discriminate.
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| Feb 4, 2002
Robinson an all-star? If Shaquille O'Neal decides to skip the All-Star Game to rest his sore toes, David Robinson could become a candidate to replace him next weekend.
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| Feb 2, 2002
Shaq Vs the league. Who will win?
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| Feb 1, 2002
Someday, perhaps soon, Mavericks-Los Angeles Lakers could take on the edge of a rivalry.
