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How many more years, Diesel?

"Seven or eight," he said. "Easily."

His own.

Although he tried to downplay the histrionics in his postgame comments, it's already evident that the Lakers' reluctance to extend his contract now is weighing on the slimmed-down Shaq. While admitting that there's "really not an urgency" because his current deal still runs for three more seasons, O'Neal has been dropping hints about his desire for another extension ever since he got to training camp last Thursday. This is the first month he's eligible to sign another extension, and it certainly sounds as though sheriff school can suddenly wait until he's closer to 40.

That's probably because Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, asked about an O'Neal extension before veterans arrived in Honolulu, suggested that the Lakers were reluctant to discuss a new contract at this time. This season is the first season on O'Neal's last extension -- a three-year deal worth nearly $90 million.

That extension came after the Lakers' first of three consecutive championships, when O'Neal was 28 and the league's reigning MVP. Buss and Kupchak are naturally wary now about O'Neal's future, at 31, after two toe surgeries and ongoing concern about his knees and other joints.

Another issue is the significant sacrifice made by Payton and Malone to play in Hollywood's epicenter of drama. Those two will earn only $6.4 million combined this season, and with Bryant bound for free agency this summer -- assuming he can retain his innocence through the Colorado court system -- the Lakers clearly have much to consider on top of O'Neal's demands.

O'Neal, meanwhile, is pointing to history and a devoted summer of fitness work to back his claims for extension No. 2. He reminded his audience that the Lakers won two more championships after the "last time they took care of it" and pointed out that "on a good toe or a (bleeped)-up toe, I always give my maximum."

True. It's also fair to point out that O'Neal does look rather good, even though it's a bit much to celebrate the abuse of a Warriors front line that didn't even include the injured Troy Murphy and Adonal Foyle. In a preseason game.

The good news? Shaq has noticeably slimmed, in his midsection and in his face. He's down from at least 380 pounds to closer to 340 and appears to have shaken off the ill effects of a bruised left heel that held him out of two early practices.

Asked to clarify his pay-me shouts at Buss, O'Neal said: "You read my lips and you read 'em clearly." Yet when asked if his contract quest will be a distraction, O'Neal softened. "I'm not really worried about it," he said. "I've always been professional. I've been here, what, seven years now, and I've always played hard and (given) my maximum, even when I was hurt. So I just want the same honesty and respect in return. (But) if it gets done, it gets done. If not, we understand."

Sound convincing?

A slightly more encouraging tone came from Jackson and Malone, neither of whom took O'Neal too seriously. And both of whom know that a peeved, motivated Shaq is generally when he's most productive.

"It's always fun to see the big guy out there having a good time," Jackson quipped.

Said Malone: "I'm not going to let him get in a bad mood. Like I tell (Shaq) all the time, 'Hell, y'all didn't pay me enough for (that).' "

Marc Stein is the senior NBA writer for ESPN.com. To e-mail him, click here. Also, send Stein a question for possible use on ESPNEWS.