NBA Finals secrets - SPORTING CHANCE by Joaquin M. Henson

Los Angeles coach Phil Jackson, who likes playing mind games, purposely broke into Shaquille O’Neal’s head to fire him up for the recent National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals.

Jackson said it was a slap in O’Neal’s face when he ranked a poor third behind Allen Iverson and Tim Duncan in the regular season MVP poll. Iverson got 93 of 124 first-place votes. Duncan had 18 and Shaq, seven.

"Shaq was third?" asked Jackson, almost mockingly. "Oh, that was a real slap in his face. That’s a slap in his face as the most dominant player in this game to be third." O’Neal’s teammate Horace Grant chimed in, "I hope Shaq’s a little P.O.’d (translation: Pissed Off)."

O’Neal, of course, dominated in the Finals, ran away with the MVP trophy, and powered the Lakers to a 4-1 romp over the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Lakers and Sixers finished with identical 56-26 pre-playoff records.

They split their regular season series at a win apiece. L.A. took the homecourt advantage because the Lakers were 22-8 against Eastern Conference squads while the Sixers were only 16-12 against the West.

Philadelphia would’ve gained the homecourt edge if the Sixers didn’t lose their final game to Chicago at the First Union Center. The Bulls had scored only four road wins before the contest and were the league’s worst team. But coach Larry Brown opted to rest Iverson and Dikembe Mutombo that night and Chicago scored a 92-86 upset.

If Philadelphia beat Chicago, the Sixers would’ve hosted Games 1 and 2 in the Finals instead of the Lakers. Would it have made a difference? The only difference would’ve been the Lakers closing out the series at home because they would’ve hosted Games 3, 4, and 5.

There was talk before the playoffs that Jackson would trade Kobe Bryant at the end of the season. Bryant had openly feuded with Shaq and said he was bored playing in Jackson’s triangle. During the Finals, there was an instance when Jackson yanked Bryant off the court for playing out of control. Although Bryant has matured and Grant refers to him as "No. 23 – Kobe Jordan," it’s not certain if Jackson and Tex Winter have forgiven him for publicly chastising the triangle.

NBA columnist Sam Smith suggested three options for Jackson in case he trades Bryant. The first is to ship him to Phoenix for Jason Kidd and Shawn Marion. The second is to send him to Toronto for Vince Carter and Antonio Davis. And the third is to bring him to Orlando for Tracy McGrady and Mike Miller. Smith said the three potential deals work under the Lakers’ salary cap restrictions.

It’s no secret that Jackson dislikes Bryant’s individualistic style and impatience to labor under his deliberate system.

"I don’t think I’ve had a more difficult season," sighed Jackson.

Will it be easier next season for Jackson if Michael Jordan comes back to play at L.A.? Jordan cracked two ribs at a scrimmage last week and may delay his comeback to the NBA. The scuttlebutt was after Jordan divests his 10 percent interest in the Washington franchise, he would transplant to Tinseltown and live out his dream of teaming with Shaq under the Zen Master.

Ron Harper recently said he would postpone his retirement for the chance to play with his Airness once more. Grant, too – unless Jackson decides to trade for Davis.

Jordan’s rumored invasion of the Lakers could mean the end of the Bryant era in L.A.

Did you know that Alaska import Terrance Badgett played a year on the same University of Nebraska varsity as Lakers guard Tyronn Lue? Badgett was a senior and Lue, a freshman when they joined forces in 1992-93. Lue, incidentally, is nicknamed Lue Hefner because of his reputation as a lady killer.

Did you know that San Miguel Beer import Nate Johnson nearly made it to the Lakers championship team this year? Johnson was one of 18 players in the Lakers pre-season roster. He was cut before the regular season started.

Did you know that Purefoods import David Wood played with Grant at Chicago in 1989-90? Wood saw action in only two games for the Bulls but he’ll never forget playing on the same team as Grant, Jordan, and Scottie Pippen.

Did you know that Lakers guard Brian Shaw and Shell’s Chris Jackson played for the same NCAA Division I school? Their alma mater is the University of California at Santa Barbara. Shaw played for the varsity a few years after Jackson.

Did you know that four Lakers front office executives have visited Manila? The executives are Vice President Magic Johnson, Jackson, Winter, and trainer Gary Vitti. Additionally, Shaq was here in 1997.

Did you know that Sta. Lucia Realty coach Norman Black once played against Bryant’s father Joe in the Baker league in Philadelphia? Black recalled mentioning to Joe during a lull in a game how good-looking his shoes were. Joe, an NBA veteran, wore blue suede Converse sneakers. To Black’s surprise, Joe went to his dressing room after the game and gave him his shoes. Black still has the shoes in his closet.

Lakers three-point specialist Robert Horry isn’t sure of playing for L.A. next season because he wants to be close to his wife Keva and their two children Cameron, 7, and Ashlyn 2, who live in Houston. There are two years left on Horry’s Lakers contract and the club has an option for the 2003-04 season. He’ll earn $5.3 Million next year.

Ashlyn was born with a generic defect and is unable to walk or eat without assistance and can’t speak.