The same O'Neal, a little different

PHOENIX -- Shaq is back.

Back in the West. Back on the court. Back as a starting center.

And back on the attack against the Lakers.

Just like old times. But with a slightly different twist.

Two weeks after being traded to the Phoenix Suns from the Miami Heat for forward Shawn Marion and guard Marcus Banks, Shaquille O'Neal on Tuesday said he was sufficiently recovered from a hip injury and sufficiently schooled in his new team's system and plans to make his Suns debut tonight at US Airways Center.

O'Neal will return against the Lakers, the team he and Kobe Bryant led to three straight NBA titles. So, naturally, at practice Tuesday, O'Neal couldn't resist taking a shot at the purple and gold.

Was he aiming at Bryant, his old nemesis and a favorite target in the past?

"He's playing fabulous," said O'Neal. "He is the best player in the league. He's a tough guy to guard."

Lakers Coach Phil Jackson, who loves to needle O'Neal?

"He's a jokester," said O'Neal.

So which Lakers figures are now the objects of O'Neal's seemingly perennial wrath? Former centers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain.

"I've probably only spoken two times to Mr. Kareem and once to Mr. Chamberlain," said O'Neal, comparing them to former centers Bill Russell and Hakeem Olajuwon, who, according to O'Neal, continue to befriend him. "Coming in there, playing under [Abdul-Jabbar preceded by Chamberlain], I wanted at least to be on the same page. . . . It was vital that I make a name for myself in that organization. Why they don't talk to me, I don't know. I don't have any hard feelings for them."

Chamberlain died in 1999.

Abdul-Jabbar, the league's all-time leading scorer and a special assistant coach for the Lakers, seemed surprised Tuesday when told of O'Neal's comments.

"I've had nothing but respect for him the whole time I've known him," Abdul-Jabbar said. "I'm surprised he took some sort of offense. I remember he was out there one game and he made a hook shot and he pointed to me in the crowd. I think he's the best center of his generation."

Of greater concern to the Lakers than O'Neal's words will be his deeds. With only the Suns ahead of them in the Pacific Division, the Lakers must hope the addition of O'Neal will not widen the gap.