O’Neal Is Feeling Reborn as the Playoffs Approach

MEMPHIS —  Shaquille O’Neal, better physically than he’s been since the arthritis crippled his toe, said Friday night he expected to be sound in mind and body when the postseason arrives in two weeks.

Beyond the indications that his game is approaching playoff levels -- he averaged 31.6 points and 11 rebounds in March, and 32 points and 18 rebounds in two April games -- O’Neal has scheduled his son’s birth for around April 16, the last day of the regular season.

O’Neal’s wife, Shaunie, is due to deliver the couple’s third child in the third week of April. He said doctors would induce before that, in part to clear O’Neal’s head for the postseason.

“I’ll be ready going into the playoffs,” he said. “I’ll have the playoff energy and I’ll have the exuberance-of-life energy.”

O’Neal said he would “probably not” miss a game to attend the birth. said Shaunie was aware of the plan.

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Kobe Bryant can opt out of his Laker contract after next season, and his contract expires the season after next. He’s had a three-year extension offer for going on a year that he has not signed, saying he hasn’t really considered it yet.

Those close to Bryant expect him to think about opting out and free agency, but no one figures him to leave the Lakers, because he is comfortable in the organization. In free agency, Bryant could get a longer and richer deal from the Lakers.

Then, there are the less concrete reasons for him to remain a Laker.

“Kobe belongs in Los Angeles,” Jerry West said Friday. “It’s where he should finish his career.

“That’s where he started his career, that’s where he’s made his mark.... He’s still a young kid, still learning, but he’s as good as it gets.”

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Bryant shot nine times before the fourth quarter Friday, only 14 times before his 21-footer at the final buzzer beat the Memphis Grizzlies. He again appeared trapped between his full-bore scoring game and his attempt to draw teammates into the offense, but does not want there to be any confusion.

Asked how well Shane Battier had defended him, Bryant said, “Not very well at all. I torch Shane every time I play against him.”

Bryant scored a career-high 56 points against Battier and the Grizzlies last season.