The Shaq Factor

The gleaming white sneakers in Shaquille O'Neal's locker look lacquered, which they are not, and massive, which they are. First-time visitors to the Los Angeles Lakers' locker room at the Staples Center gaze at them in wonder, and a brave few, casting nervous glances to make sure the big man is not in view, lift up their puny dogs to compare them with O'Neal's size 22s. Last week one Japanese reporter reached up and discreetly turned around a can of roll-on deodorant so that the label faced outward. "Ban," she announced.

It's not often that we have the chance to measure ourselves against giants, not to mention inspect their personal toilette. O'Neal affords us that opportunity because, unlike most giants, he walks among us—though, through Sunday, the NBA Finals had been more coronation than competition for O'Neal and his Lakers. He has conjured up comparisons to the recent master of the postseason while distinguishing himself from Michael Jordan in the following ways: His Airness never mooned fans from the team bus; nor did he offer his intestinal insights before an overflow press gathering. With noble carriage and sublime charisma, Jordan was Henry V; O'Neal, big, bold and bawdy, is pure Falstaff.

On Sunday, after a 106-103 victory over the Nets in New Jersey, the Lakers were one win away from a three-peat, and O'Neal was on the verge of winning a third straight Finals MVP award. Trying to avoid the label of Worst Team Ever to Play for the Title, the Nets were even more hapless than expected in trying to stop the 7'1", 345-pound force of nature who in those three Lakers wins had averaged 37.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, 3.0 blocked shots and even 3.7 assists. Should L.A. win Game 4 on Wednesday at Continental Airlines Arena, it would be the first Finals sweep since the '95 Houston Rockets obliterated the Orlando Magic, whose 23-year-old version of O'Neal was much less complete than the current Lakers pivotman.

"It's a big stage," says Lakers forward Rick Fox, "and this is his time." Indeed, Shaq has so dominated the series, both on and off the court, that other purple-and-gold mainstays have been reduced to bit parts. Cataloging Kobe Bryant's various off-court jerseys has been a pleasant diversion ( Hank Aaron, Wayne Gretzky, Derek Jeter, Joe Montana, Joe Namath, Mariano Rivera and Jackie Robinson over the past few weeks), but the best all-around player in the world hasn't had to extend himself in this series because of O'Neal's preeminence. Watching Lakers coach Phil Jackson try to tie Red Auerbach's record of nine NBA titles has been interesting, but during games the Zenmeister has remained seated to a greater degree than usual because his message to the offense is so clear and simple: Get the ball to Shaq.

Then, too, on those occasions when the Lakers were stressed, it was Shaq who talked them off the ledge. Trailing for most of Game 3, the Nets rallied behind a zone defense that collapsed two, three and sometimes four men on O'Neal, disrupting the Lakers' triangle offense and helping New Jersey take a 94-87 lead with 6:44 left. But back came Los Angeles, wrapped in the Big Security Blanket. "It's at those times that Shaquille becomes the most influential player in the game," said Jackson. "He has the ability to calm the effect of the crowd and get things to happen positively." Shaq talked softly during timeouts, told his teammates they've been together far too long to fold, encouraged them to keep sniping at the Nets. They did, regaining control of the game and getting closer to title number 3.

Because Shaq's influence on his team is so profound, because he has worked so hard at becoming a complete player and because he has played through so much pain, he bristles whenever it is suggested that his oversized body is the primary reason for his success—a suggestion that is made every night of the season. "The truth is, I was created by you guys," O'Neal told the media last week. "When I was a young player having fun, doing movies and doing albums, you criticized me all the time. I'd hear, 'Shaq O'Neal is a great player, but he doesn't have a championship. But he's not hitting free throws.' So, after taking criticism all my life, I know how to turn it into positive energy." Then he broke out into a huge smile. "So this is what you created, and I'm glad you did. Thank you, and I love you all."

He got up and left with everybody feeling happy. It was vintage Shaq, which can also be said about these Finals. While Bryant, Jackson and the rest did their bit, the series was really all about Shaq. And what's Shaq all about? Why, bull's-eyes, bare butts, nipple studs and other 100% true...

...SHAQ FACTS

TOP COP
Shaq still plans to enter law enforcement when he's done playing. "I want my book to be different from most retired players'," says O'Neal, 30, who is under contract, at $21.4 million per year, through 2005-06. "I want people to say, 'Great high school player, great college player, great NBA player. And that sumbitch is a sheriff now!' I don't want them saying, 'Great player. That sumbitch is doing TNT now.' "

AMONG THE LILLIPUTIANS
When he was taken out of Game 2 with 1:07 left, O'Neal stopped and said to Nets reserve forward Brian Scalabrine, "Mark's gonna bust your ass." He was referring to Lakers backup Mark Madsen, who rarely plays. Shaq said it straight-faced, but Scalabrine knew he was joshing, and it made him feel good. One of the best things about O'Neal is that he takes the time to talk to everyone and generally sits or Stoops to make his partner in conversation comfortable.