RECORD AT STAKE IN VERY UNFRIENDLY ENVIRONS; SHAQ EXPECTS BOOS IN UTAH AS L.A. EYES 9TH STRAIGHT.Byline: Gary Washburn Daily News Staff Writer Instead of his enormous right hand, Shaquille O'Neal Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal (pronounced "shak-KEEL") (born March 6, 1972 in Newark, New Jersey), frequently referred to simply as Shaq, is an American professional basketball player, generally regarded as one of the most dominant in the National Basketball Association (NBA). decided to diffuse his quarrel QUARREL. A dispute; a difference. In law, particularly in releases, which are taken most strongly against the releasor, when a man releases all quarrels he is said to release all actions, real and personal. 8 Co. 153. with Utah's Greg Ostertag Gregory Donovan Ostertag (born March 6 1973, in Dallas, Texas) is a retired American basketball player in the NBA, who spent most of his career with the Utah Jazz. He measures 7'2" (2.18 m) and played center. with his whisper-quiet voice. ``It's over,'' the mammoth center said a day before the Lakers See Lake poets travel to Utah. ``It was over as soon as it happened. As far as I'm concerned, it's over.'' Not that the Lakers needed any more of a hostile atmosphere trying to break a team record with nine straight wins to start the season. The Lakers must win in Salt Lake City, a place where they haven't won in eight tries. Salt Lake City, a place where the confident Lakers watched their NBA NBA abbr. 1. National Basketball Association 2. National Boxing Association NBA (US) n abbr (= National Basketball Association) → Basketball-Dachverband (= title hopes dissolve into what-ifs last season. Most embarrassed about that playoff play·off also play-off n. Sports 1. A final game or series of games played to break a tie. 2. A series of games played to determine a championship. Noun 1. series was O'Neal, who claims he was a shell of his healthy self because of a bad knee. ``I expect them to boo,'' O'Neal said. ``It pumps me up. We need to get a win.'' The Lakers, on a much smaller scale, have a chance to surpass the 1987-88 world-champion club that won its first eight. But the first eight wins have proved that this Lakers team has a different personality than in years past. Instead of looking like a tired team Sunday against Vancouver, it shot 65 percent in the first half to overwhelm o·ver·whelm tr.v. o·ver·whelmed, o·ver·whelm·ing, o·ver·whelms 1. To surge over and submerge; engulf: waves overwhelming the rocky shoreline. 2. a. the Grizzles. The Lakers have yet to let down or be dominated. Ironically, their first half against Utah in the season-opener is likely their worst stretch of basketball so far. ``There are a lot of leaders on this team,'' coach Del Harris said. ``And they talk to each other. They say things to each other. That's what's important.'' So could it be the reason for the hot start is that the Lakers are finally maturing? The players won't admit it. But Harris believes he should be the last person to provide inspiration for his young guys. ``Motivation from the top is not nearly as meaningful,'' Harris said. ``Shaq and some other guys have been exceptional leaders. I like to hear them talk to each other.'' And all of a sudden Harris' relationship with Nick Van Exel Nickey (Nick) Maxwell Van Exel (born November 27 1971 in Kenosha, Wisconsin) is a retired American professional basketball player in the NBA. Van Exel, a 6'1" left-handed point guard, was most well known for his flashy style of play and his ability to hit critical shots during is not such an issue. The point guard has had a sparkling season, shooting nearly 50 percent from the field and 56 from the 23-foot, 9-inch 3-point line. Van Exel has single-handedly bailed the Lakers out of two near-defeats in San Antonio San Antonio (săn ăntō`nēō, əntōn`), city (1990 pop. 935,933), seat of Bexar co., S central Tex., at the source of the San Antonio River; inc. 1837. and Houston, and nearly beat Vancouver by himself on Sunday. His court decisions have been impeccable; Eddie Jones' 58 percent shooting clip along with O'Neal's presence inside has given him two mighty options. Harris' confidence in Van Exel has obviously grown. Sunday, Van Exel took an outlet pass with about seven seconds left in the first half, dribbled meticulously down court, much to the fans' chagrin, but then pulled up and swished a 17-footer at the buzzer. He ran off the court waving his hands to those fans who, for a minute, thought he was out of control. ``I would have to say that was probably the best I've shot the ball since I came into the league,'' Van Exel said about his 9-for-9 performance. ``Everybody loves being 8-0, but the main thing we have to do is keep it up.'' So the concentration of Monday's practice at the Forum was geared toward keeping the momentum and less on the record itself. Kobe Bryant Kobe Bean Bryant (born July 23 1978) is an American All-Star shooting guard in the National Basketball Association (NBA) who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers. was 9 when those Showtime show·time or show time n. 1. The time at which an entertainment, such as the showing of a movie, is scheduled to start. 2. Slang The time at which an activity is to begin. Noun 1. Lakers won their first eight. O'Neal was 15. ``The only records I know about are the three rap records I've made,'' O'Neal said. ``I don't think about it. And I think most of the guys are focused on the long run.'' A little forecasting has the Lakers possibly 16-0 before a Dec. 5 home game with the Spurs. After Utah, the Lakers face Minnesota, the Clippers, Miami, Boston, Philadelphia, Toronto and Denver. Those seven teams have a combined record of 19-41. But for good reason,the Lakers concentration rests solely on tonight. The 19,000 plus fans at the Delta Center will be screaming for O'Neal's head and fully realize history is at stake. AND AWAY THEY GO ... With a victory tonight at Utah, Shaquille O'Neal, left, and the Lakers would set a franchise record for the best start to a season. The following are the top five starts in team history: Year Start First Loss Score 1997-98 8-0 ??? 1987-88 8-0 Milwaukee 124-116 1980-81 5-0 Portland 107-103 1985-86 4-0 Cleveland 129-111 1971-72 4-0 Chicago 113-106 SOURCE: Ziffrin Sports Resource Center LAKERS vs. UTAH Tipoff: 6 p.m., Delta Center. TV/Radio: Channel 9; KLAC-AM (570); KWKW-AM (1330, Spanish). Lakers (8-0) update: L.A. has a chance to make team history tonight with their eighth straight win to begin a season. Jazz (5-4) update: All has not gone well since the Jazz's run to the NBA Finals The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association. The team winning the Eastern Conference Finals earns one of the two berths in the championship round, with the other going to the team that wins the Western Conference Finals. . Guard John Stockton This article is about the professional basketball player. For the U.S. Senator from New Jersey, see John P. Stockton. John Houston Stockton (born March 26, 1962) is a retired American professional basketball player who spent his entire career (1984–2003) as a is on the shelf after knee surgery for another six weeks. CAPTION(S): Photo, 2 Boxes PHOTO (color) Shaquille O'Neal BOX: (1) AND AWAY THEY GO (see text) (2) LAKERS vs. UTAH (see text) |
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