Another Critic in O’Neal Family

SAN ANTONIO — Since his early-season rant pointing out Kobe Bryant’s deficiencies as a team player, Shaquille O’Neal has avoided the subject, letting Bryant play out what could be his final year with the Lakers without that complication and saving himself the stress of being named the bad guy.

O’Neal’s stepfather isn’t so restrained.

Philip Harrison told the San Antonio Express-News on Tuesday that despite his talent, Bryant remains impaired on offense and that it harms the Lakers.

“Kobe Bryant could be one of the best players that ever played the game if he learned how to play team basketball,” Harrison said. “The game is played inside out, not outside in. You play team basketball, no problem.”

Harrison’s feelings echoed those of O’Neal, who for years has groused about Bryant’s shoot-first tendency.

“You have to establish the inside game first,” Harrison said. “Shaquille is the most dominant player to ever play the game. You have to pass him the ball. Let’s stop the drama and just play ball.”

As for the relationship between his son and Bryant, Harrison said, “They just work together and that’s all.”

Bryant and Harrison would seem to have an uneven relationship, as well. Several years ago, during a game in Orlando, Harrison sat in the stands and screamed at Bryant to pass the ball. When the Lakers were in Orlando in February, Harrison passed the bench and Bryant jumped up to greet him with a hug.

Harrison, who sat near the Laker bench for Game 2, told the Express-News: “Kobe Bryant, you can hate him and love him in the same breath.”

O’Neal smiled and shrugged, but declined to comment Wednesday.

“I think it’s humorous, actually,” said Laker Coach Phil Jackson, who has fought some of the same fights. “They’re aware of it. I’m sure they’re not concerned.... [Harrison] is definitely going to defend Shaquille.”

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Spur point guard Tony Parker was better in Game 2 than he was in Game 1.

He scored 30 points, 16 in the first quarter and eight in the fourth, the last two on an 18-foot jumper.

In similar situations in the past, Jackson has taken Bryant off the shooting guard and on the point guard.

“You know what?” Bryant said, “I can’t put all the blame on that. It’s a combination of stuff. It’s not Parker going nuts.”

As for if he’d like to defend Parker from the start, Bryant said, “It doesn’t matter to me. It doesn’t matter who I play.”