NBA O'Neal silent about Lakers' troubles

Los Angeles will likely start the playoffs on the road -- if it makes it.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Aside from a few mumbles here and there, Shaquille O'Neal has been silent for two weeks regarding the state of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Last time he said anything of import, it was to rip his team's role players following a loss at Golden State. O'Neal's comments backfired, angering his teammates and fueling a slide in which the Lakers had lost four of five going into Friday night's game at Philadelphia.
"If it was his intention to motivate his teammates, that's all right because this is a professional game and the guys can take that stuff," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said.
"But the result is there is fallout, and players are conscious of their behavior and play, being passive on the floor at times, wanting to do the right thing and fulfill the right job role that they have. And I think that's one of the things that has made us hesitant rather than active and aggressive."
Being at the bottom of the Pacific Division and a long way from .500 is uncharted territory for the three-time defending champions.
A year ago, the Lakers started 16-1 before going on cruise control, knowing they could turn their games up a notch in the playoffs.
Digging a hole
This season they are digging themselves a hole that will likely cause them to start the playoffs on the road -- if they make the playoffs. Nine teams in the Western Conference began the weekend at or above .500.
"I've never had this kind of a situation coaching in the NBA," Jackson said, "but I've been in this position before in my coaching career. We're not living up to what we can do."
During their recent skid, the Lakers lost by 27 to the Nets, by 16 to the Hornets and four to the Warriors. Earlier in the season they lost by 12 at Miami and 26 at Dallas.
Jackson said O'Neal's recent silence is driven by his inability to explain exactly what's wrong.
As for Jackson, he has resorted to pleading with his players.
"I've asked them pointedly during the last week to try to summon up what it's like to give to a playoff game, which is a level you don't have to expect to ask of players with these types of credentials at this time of the season."
Perhaps the biggest factor in the team's slow start was O'Neal's absence for the first 12 games following off-season foot surgery.
But the Lakers haven't been much better since O'Neal's return, going 7-8 as their 7-foot center has tried to play himself into shape.