SHAQ TURNS OUT THE LIGHTS : O'NEAL'S FINISH CLAMPS DOWN WIN LAKERS 96, PHOENIX 82.Byline: Marc Stein Marc Stein is a sports reporter. He began writing for ESPN.com in 2000 and signed on full-time in 2002 to serve as the site's senior National Basketball Association writer. Daily News Staff Writer Shaq-Fu is who he used to be. This was Shaq-Nu's night. Barely. The new 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). and the rejuvenated re·ju·ve·nate tr.v. re·ju·ve·nat·ed, re·ju·ve·nat·ing, re·ju·ve·nates 1. To restore to youthful vigor or appearance; make young again. 2. Lakers were finally unveiled for real Friday and almost got upended. Only O'Neal's big finish ensured that the first step toward this team and town's desired destination - Baq to the Top - was firm and forward. Before a Forum sellout of 17,505, the $120 million man opened his on-court account with 23 points and 14 rebounds to rally the Lakers to a 96-82 victory over the Phoenix Suns. ``I'm thinking the same thing you guys are thinking,'' O'Neal said. ``I want to win, so I can just chill out chill out Informal Verb to relax, esp. after energetic dancing at a rave Adjective chill-out suitable for relaxation after energetic dancing: a chill-out area .'' O'Neal hasn't been here long, but he sure knows drama. Delaying his arrival at the Lakers' locker-room door until an hour before tipoff - half the fans beat him here - he stayed subdued for the next three quarters, barely hoisting as many shots (six) as fouls drawn (four). He carried just 13 points and eight rebounds into the fourth quarter. Then he carried the Lakers to a face-saving triumph with 10 and six of the same down the stretch - and did so playing the final nine-plus minutes with five fouls. ``It's just like Hollywood is accustomed to,'' Lakers coach Del Harris said. ``A star performer comes to town, and when the curtain goes up, everyone wants to see him.'' When O'Neal plowed over Danny Manning Daniel Ricardo Manning (born May 17, 1966 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi) is a former professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association. He is currently an assistant basketball coach for the University of Kansas Jayhawks. for his fifth personal with 9:42 left, it appeared that an audience that buzzed all evening wouldn't get to watch the star much longer. Harris, however, realized that he'd have to stick with Shaq, remembering how the Lakers' 68-54 edge when O'Neal went out with his fourth in the previous period quickly dwindled to 70-69. The decision proved shrewd. With O'Neal grabbing seemingly every rebound - and Eddie Jones contributing two key 3-pointers - the Lakers reeled off 10 straight points after falling behind 78-77. O'Neal even hit four or his six free throws in the fourth, and 7 of 11 overall. ``When he fools around hard, he fools around hard,'' Harris said of O'Neal. ``When he works hard, he works hard. He's a serious joker and a serious player.'' O'Neal wasn't the only newcomer to thrill, either. The early roars were generated by rookie point guard Derek Fisher Derek Lamar Fisher (born August 9 1974 in Little Rock, Arkansas) is an American professional basketball player with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was with the Utah Jazz but asked to be released from his contract to care for his 10-month-old daughter, who has cancer. , who made his NBA NBA abbr. 1. National Basketball Association 2. National Boxing Association NBA (US) n abbr (= National Basketball Association) → Basketball-Dachverband (= debut just 2:36 in - 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 picked up two quick fouls - and immediately made the Suns nervous. In his first seven minutes, the lad from Arkansas-Little Rock drove the Lakers to a 15-point lead, two of which came on a Ceballos dunk from Fisher's wraparound Wraparound A financing device that permits an existing loan to be refinanced and new money to be advanced at an interest rate between the rate charged on the old loan and the current market interest rate. pass on the break. For the quarter, Fisher had five points and four assists, leaving little doubt about Harris' decision to install him as Van Exel's backup ahead of veteran Rumeal Robinson. Notes: Michael Cooper, who unexpectedly decided to leave his post as assistant coach just before the start of training camp, will be at home games working on Fox Sports West's Lakers broadcasts. Team insiders remain stunned by his departure. CENTER STAGE How three marquee big men fared in their Lakers debuts: Wilt Chamberlain, Oct. 18, 1968: 15 points, 17 rebounds in a 114-96 loss to Philadelphia. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oct. 23, 1975: 27 points, 20 rebounds in a 104-101 win over the New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of Knicks. Shaquille O'Neal, Nov. 1, 1996: 23 points, 14 rebounds in a 96-82 win over the Phoenix Suns. CAPTION(S): Photo, Box Photo: (color) Lakers forward Cedric Ceballos has a clear shot against Suns defenders Michael Finley, left, and Sam Cassell. Tina Gerson / Daily News Box: CENTER STAGE (see text) |
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