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Drbio · 06-08-2002, 07:33 PM

Shaq's toe, fitness sure to be off-season issues

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Associated Press

Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson said he plans to sit down with Shaquille O'Neal after the season to discuss what can be done about the star center's arthritic right big toe.

O'Neal said a couple months ago he thought there was an 80 percent chance he'd have surgery on the toe this summer, but expressed uncertainty on the matter earlier this week.

"There are a variety of options for Shaquille," Jackson said before Game 2. "Until we look at all of those options and adjust and weigh them, we won't make anything but suggestions to him."

Jackson said the major thing to discuss was how O'Neal could avoid coming into training camp overweight. O'Neal had surgery late last August on his left little toe, affecting his ability to report to camp in top shape.

"Some major adjustments have to be made," Jackson said. "Things just can't go along as they are because ... we can't go forward if he's going to play 50 games, or 55 games, or 60 games a year."

If O'Neal plays the way he did Friday night -- 40 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists in a 106-83 victory over New Jersey -- it would hardly seem to matter.

06-08-2002, 07:33 PM	#1
Drbio Banned Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Nowhere Posts: 40,924	Shaq's toe, fitness sure to be off-season issues -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Associated Press Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson said he plans to sit down with Shaquille O'Neal after the season to discuss what can be done about the star center's arthritic right big toe. O'Neal said a couple months ago he thought there was an 80 percent chance he'd have surgery on the toe this summer, but expressed uncertainty on the matter earlier this week. "There are a variety of options for Shaquille," Jackson said before Game 2. "Until we look at all of those options and adjust and weigh them, we won't make anything but suggestions to him." Jackson said the major thing to discuss was how O'Neal could avoid coming into training camp overweight. O'Neal had surgery late last August on his left little toe, affecting his ability to report to camp in top shape. "Some major adjustments have to be made," Jackson said. "Things just can't go along as they are because ... we can't go forward if he's going to play 50 games, or 55 games, or 60 games a year." If O'Neal plays the way he did Friday night -- 40 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists in a 106-83 victory over New Jersey -- it would hardly seem to matter.