EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Even though Shaquille O'Neal's presence would help the struggling Los Angeles Lakers, coach Phil Jackson is urging his All-Star center not to rush back.
"If he felt that he has to get back out there, don't do it because of our record," Jackson said Thursday. "He's got to do it because he's healthy and he feels right."
The NBA champions took a 3-9 record into Friday night's game against the Chicago Bulls. They had lost seven of eight games and were last in the Pacific Division.
O'Neal could make his season debut Friday, but if he plays he probably won't start the game at Staples Center, Jackson said.
Lakers spokesman John Black said O'Neal's availability will depend on how he feels after Friday morning's shootaround.
"We'll just hold our breath until tomorrow," Jackson said. "He's had some swelling a little bit after practice, and he's had some soreness, but he doesn't have soreness while he's running, and that's the positive aspect."
Jackson said if O'Neal is available, he would probably come off the bench. O'Neal received a shoe support from his doctor Thursday to ease the pressure on his arthritic right foot, and he wore the device at practice.
"He said everything was OK," O'Neal said. "I felt pretty good. We'll just see."
Even when O'Neal returns, Jackson said his influence would be limited at first.
"We're going to have to limit his minutes," he said. "We're not going to expect too much out of ourselves. We'll bring him along as best we can and progressively keep playing him as he improves." Guard Derek Fisher said fans shouldn't expect the Lakers to surge to the top of the standings upon O'Neal's return.
"That doesn't mean we'll be the best basketball team in the league," he said. "We'll still have a lot of work to do." However, O'Neal's presence would ease the burden on Kobe Bryant, who's had to provide most of the scoring while being guarded closer than ever.
"He's got to set the table a little bit more for the big guy and get the ball in to him," Jackson said. "It's going to make it easier for him. He's not going to have to take as many tough shots."
O'Neal had surgery on his arthritic right big toe Sept. 11. At the time, he was expected to be out six-to-eight weeks.