The now famous Shaquille O'Neal interview with the Sacramento Bee that ran last week and included comments about Phil Jackson and possibly going back to the Lakers was done in the preseason in Phoenix by the Bee's Scott Howard-Cooper, a former Los Angeles Times writer whom O'Neal knows.
With public perception already settled, O'Neal was questioned Wednesday even though the original interview never asked him specifically about free agency in 2010.
"I have a great relationship with Steve Kerr," said O'Neal. "When I'm done here, we'll see what happens. Going back that way, no, it never came out of my mouth."
O'Neal said his comments about Jackson were intended as a compliment.
"Phil has always done right by me," O'Neal said Wednesday. "We had a great relationship.
"It would be idiotic for me to say something bad about him."