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--> --> Lakers want more: three NBA titles, then four By Jenna Fryer AP Sports Writer EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The Los Angeles Lakers have all but dismissed the New Jersey Nets and the rest of these NBA Finals. In their eyes, a third straight title is simply a formality at this point. Irritated by the perception that Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant could lead any team to a championship and tired of the gripes lingering from their win over the Sacramento Kings, the Lakers have moved on and set their sights on another goal - four consecutive NBA titles. "Most of our criticism comes from jealousy at our success and sour grapes," Lakers forward Rick Fox said. "I guess it's difficult to be a good loser. All this talk, it only lights a fire under Shaq and Kobe to work harder this summer and come back and have an even better year next year and win a fourth title." First they have to win a third title, and they can do that with a victory in Game 4 on Wednesday night. The Lakers, up 3-0 in the best-of-seven series, are in position for their first Finals sweep. "There is not very far to go in this season," Fox said. "Just to the podium to accept our trophy. But we already see one more on the board." The only thing looming for Los Angeles is another round with the Kings, who took the Lakers to overtime of the seventh and deciding game in the Western Conference finals. Since beating Sacramento, the Lakers have grown weary of remarks from the Kings and coach Rick Adelman that contend O'Neal received favorable treatment from the officials and imply the Kings are really the better team. It's motivated the Lakers to end this series with New Jersey and start readying for next year. "We're just looking forward to finishing the job here and then addressing all the comments next year," Fox said. "We understand the jealousy, but it's starting to upset us." Not helping matters was New Jersey coach Byron Scott's assertion that O'Neal could take the Memphis Grizzlies to the NBA Finals. Of course, Scott meant it as a compliment and even went so far to say the only way to stop O'Neal was to clone him. But the Lakers took it as another jab, a slap that insinuated they'd be just a regular team - not a budding dynasty - without O'Neal. Perhaps there's some truth to that. O'Neal has dominated the series, posting 111 points and 39 rebounds in three games. The Nets have no idea how to stop him and have never seen anything like him. "I don't think there's any comparison," said Nets guard Jason Kidd. "I mean, you're talking about the most dominant player to play the game at this point." Kidd credits Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain for changing the game during their eras - something he thinks O'Neal is on the verge of doing. "When it's all said and done, I think he probably will go down as the best to ever play," Kidd said. "He's comparable to Wilt in the aspect of changing the game. The rules were changed for Wilt to try to slow him down. It didn't work. "They've tried to change the rules because of Shaq's dominance, and he's just shown all aspects of passing, making free throws and doing what he does best. So, I think there's no comparison." And perhaps there's no comparison to the tandem of O'Neal and Bryant. Bryant had a breakout game Sunday night with 36 points, making a 10-footer with 19.1 seconds left to give Los Angeles a four-point lead, spawning talk that he and O'Neal are among the greatest pair of teammates in NBA history. "After this year, they have to be considered pretty close to the top," Lakers guard Derek Fisher said. "You look at Michael and Scottie, Magic and Kareem, but these two guys are definitely somewhere in there. "You can't compare eras, and you have to respect those who came before us, but Shaq and Kobe - man, they're something." Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing