They Have Their Doubts About O’Neal

So Shaquille O’Neal is really hurting? The bad toe, the cut finger, and now a sprained left ankle too.

Well, the Spurs aren’t exactly calling O’Neal a big fibber, but they’d like to see more proof.

Malik Rose has been guarding the Lakers’ 7-foot-1 center, and he was skeptical Thursday of how real the injuries are.

“He still throws it through the rim hard, so I don’t think his hand is bothering him at all,” said Rose, who has been sharing the O’Neal patrol with Mark Bryant and Tim Duncan while Spur center David Robinson recovers from an aggravated disk in his lower back.

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Robinson, who has played only seven minutes of the postseason, could also be in uniform for tonight’s Game 3 at the Alamodome.

Spur Coach Gregg Popovich said Robinson went through a full practice Thursday, and that a decision on his game status will be made today.

“He banged and he hit, and it’s just a matter of whether the nerve in the back sustains as the day goes on,” Popovich said.

“It has nothing to do with a pain level. David has played with pain for a lot of years in his career and he wants to be out there badly. It’s a nerve deal--if your nerve is not firing and you get yourself in certain positions, you may do some real damage to yourself.”

The Spurs also are unsure how productive Robinson will be when or if he returns. After playing only seven minutes in the past month, he may have trouble finding his rhythm.

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Popovich is bracing for a maximum effort from the Lakers tonight.

“They’re going to come with their full focus,” Popovich said. “They’re going to play great and we’ll have to play a heck of a game to beat them.”

And no one does San Antonio expect more from than O’Neal.

“I think Shaq is going to get involved more,” Spur rookie guard Tony Parker said. “I think he’s going to have the ball more, so we have to be ready.”

Robinson’s presence would be the biggest plus for the Spurs. The home crowd also figures in--San Antonio is 15-1 in the Alamodome since late February.

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The Spurs also expect to get a lift from Duncan being honored tonight for his selection as the NBA’s most valuable player.

O’Neal finished third in balloting, behind Duncan and New Jersey Net guard Jason Kidd. Laker teammate Samaki Walker said that O’Neal might try to make his case on the court Friday.

“I’m sure one person won’t be happy--No. 34 [Shaq],” said Walker, who played for San Antonio last season. “I expect a big game from him.”

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Both the Lakers and Spurs have played well in bursts, but neither has shown the form that led them to identical 58-24 records during the regular season.

“Both games have been somewhat ugly,” said Spur guard Antonio Daniels, who scored 14 points in Game 2. “Whichever team decides they’re going to play better for a longer stint, that’ll be the team that comes out victorious.”