Shaquille O’Neal News

All times are expressed in Eastern Time. Statistics from 2006-07 regular season. via ESPN

“But when he goes, there’s still no one who goes like him.”

Even at 35, the beast within is still within, Shaquille O’Neal insists. These days, though, it’s a matter of how often it can be stirred from its cage. via SouthFlorida.com

The Heat doesn’t have an NBA championship to defend. That’s because it did such a lousy job of defending the thing last year when it did have a crown to wear. via Palm Beach Post

Shaquille O’Neal began his Hall of Fame career with Orlando in 1992, and the 35-year-old has never missed the playoffs with the Magic, the Lakers or the Heat. via Newsday.com

“The Sonics have made clear they’re attempting to leave after this coming season”

The Seattle SuperSonics may not try to escape their lease at KeyArena through arbitration, a federal judge said Monday. via CBS SportsLine

“We’ve got a group of guys that can go out there and win games and put ourselves in a position to win a championship”

He missed the beginning of camp with a strained thigh, sat out the latter stages with a sore foot.

But now Heat center Alonzo Mourning not only says he’s ready to get started, but also hopeful of going out in style.

‘Other than the bumps and bruises that I’ve had to deal with, it’s been typical of every year that I’ve gone into,’ Mourning said of his deliberate approach to the season opener for his 15th - and final - NBA season.

‘It’s truly a blessing that God has given me another opportunity to play another year,’ Mourning said, offering the perspective not in vain, but from something rather close to his heart. ‘I think a lot of people forget the fact that I had a kidney transplant. I thank God every day that I wake up in the morning that I’m able to come out here and play the game of basketball. Read more

“When he came to Australia … he mentioned the Wiggles while he was onstage”

The Wiggles are used to rubbing shoulders with celebrities. After all, Jerry Seinfeld, Robert De Niro, Sarah Jessica Parker and Shaquille O’Neal are among the stars who have brought their progeny backstage at … via 102.9 CKDS-FM

“It is not like defense will have left me”

Ricky Davis and Mark Blount say they understand and accept their roles for the Heat. They also thanked the Heat for bringing them from rebuilding Minnesota to what could be a contender to win the Eastern Conference. ‘This is about the best time of my career to just come out and be competitive,’ said Davis, expected to be a top scorer as Dwyane Wade recovers from injuries. ‘It was kind of an honor for those guys to pick me to come down and help out,’ said Blount, a reserve center who also could back up Udonis Haslem at power forward. Davis and Blount practiced with the Heat on Saturday after being held out the previous day as the trade was officially completed. Coach Pat Riley said it was a ‘learning day’ designed to help the new additions catch up before the Nov. 1 opener. ‘We’ll keep the package limited for the week or so, but I think they will pick it up quickly,’ Riley said. Some of it was familiar to Davis from playing under Riley in 2000-01; he said it wouldn’t take long to learn the rest. Davis said he also expects an easy transition to playing with center Shaquille O’Neal now and Wade later. ‘We definitely have a ‘big three,'’ Davis said. ‘Hopefully we can all jell together.’ Read more

“I don’t see any reason with a core of Howard, Dirk, Terry and Harris - if the window is ticking away, it’s still pretty open.”

By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News esefko@dallasnews.com Twenty-one years ago, a young superstar was coming off his first trip to the NBA Finals, where his team had lost to Larry Bird and the Boston … via The Dallas Morning News

“Toine to leave. Just waiting on the opportunity to get more minutes.’”

Ricky Davis tries to drive past Shaquille O’Neal during a game last March. Davis will now have to share shots with the Heat center and Dwyane Wade, among others. via Miami Herald

In PALM BEACH POST, Chris Perkins writes “Apparently Shaquille O’Neal is ready to put the Heat on his back. via NBA.com

If Pat Riley takes another sabbatical from the Heat, the world might ask him to turn his attention to its most impossible work. via SouthFlorida.com

THIRD QUARTER: FINLEY ON TARGET Michael Finley hit two baskets early in the second half, a jumper and a 3-pointer. That helped the Spurs hold a 63-55 lead midway through the third quarter. via San Antonio Express-News

Antoine Walker’s turbulent time with the Miami Heat is over. The Heat traded the three-time All-Star forward to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday in a five-player deal that came one day after Miami … via Daily Herald

Who says nobody cares about the preseason? Heat guard Jason Williams just got ejected from tonight’s game for arguing with the referees. via San Antonio Express-News