Shaquille O’Neal News

Bulls preview: Chicago all grown up, but lacks final piece Kobe Bryant might soon walk into the United Center, throw on his No. via CBS SportsLine

“Riles wanted to get a snapshot of the teams youth so Shaq played sparingly from the point, but the open sentiment relative to Shaq was that the jury is still ‘out”

In the final preseason game of the season, the Miami Heat failed to register one victory as the fell short to the NBA defending Champions, the San Antonio Spurs , in a 104-87 loss. via MVN - Recent Articles

Manu Ginobili scored 22 points on 6-for-7 shooting, and the San Antonio Spurs sealed a forgettable exhibition season for the Miami Heat with a 104-87 victory Tuesday night. via Slam Sports

Death of the Traditional Center? Posted by Todd Spehr on 10.23.2007 As the NBA goes smaller and faster, the traditional center is becoming a thing of the past. via 411mania.com

“Most of all, we like your market-driven night life. Bars close whenever, dancing and smoking are accepted and happy hour is a lifestyle.”

Miami is the country’s top party city, according to Maxim magazine. The men’s magazine put its party list in its November issue, on sale Tuesday. via WFTV Orlando

“I’m still trying to find something I can go with”

Heat limping around, K-Mart’s strong start and more Posted: Monday October 22, 2007 11:43AM; Updated: Monday October 22, 2007 11:43AM A preseason quadriceps injury has slowed Shaquille O’Neal, who has missed 74 … via SI.com

‘’I feel like a rookie,'’ Parker said Monday. “They’ve been giving me the rookie treatment here. via Miami Herald

“At one point, I had the butterflies and was very nervous doing certain things. Now I’m back to where it’s coming to me natural.”

Grizzlies guard Mike Conley laughed at the comment, if only because he knew better. via South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Jerry Buss has already shown that he’ll part with superstars. Yet upon hearing that the Los Angeles Lakers owner would consider trading Kobe Bryant, even Shaquille O’Neal was shocked. via Contra Costa Times

“Pat Riley gave us a playbook two days ago that’s about the size of a dictionary”

While the rest of the Heat ran through practice, Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade sat off to the side Thursday, their legs studded with wraps and ice packs. The scene nicely summed up the Heat’s injury-filled preseason. Center Alonzo Mourning has joined the growing list of injured players. Mourning, who has a sore foot, Wade, O’Neal, Michael Doleac and Wayne Simien will not accompany the team on its road trip tonight against Charlotte and Saturday at Memphis. Coach Pat Riley made it clear he did not want to focus on the injuries anymore. ‘Let’s just move past [the injuries],’ he said. Read more

“Not what people write and create about me. My personal legacy, the one I want to leave for my kids. I’m not done with that yet.”

If he were so inclined, Shaquille O’Neal could quit basketball right now and depart with a legacy unlike almost any other in NBA history. via Fox Sports

“My Achilles is holding me back”

Pat Riley sees the possibilities in Antoine Walker. It is why he so much wants to make things work with the veteran forward. via The Orlando Sentinel

“It really is coincidental, but that may be the run, the life for this particular team. We hope that in the next three years of Shaq’s tenure and Dwyane’s in the prime of his life, that we’re going to be a contender.”

Two NBA legends are slated to make an appearance in South Mississippi this week.

Coach Pat Riley and All-Star center Shaquille O’Neal will lead the Miami Heat in an NBA preseason game against the New Orleans Hornets on Friday night at 7:30 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum. Ticket sales have gone well, according to the Coliseum ticket office.

Riley and O’Neal played huge roles as the Heat won its only NBA championship two years ago. The Heat acquired O’Neal in a multi-player trade from the Los Angeles Lakers before the 2005-2006 season. Riley replaced Stan VanGundy late in the season. Read more

“I envisioned when I signed him that he would help the team and mesh with [Shaquille O’Neal] and Dwyane and [Jason Williams] and I think he will.”

After waiting two years to rejoin an NBA team, and after waiting on the sideline through the Heat’s training camp, Penny Hardaway was back at full practice Tuesday.

And after all the waiting, he took his time getting off the court.

Hardaway, dealing with an injured quadriceps, was the last person to leave practice, after an intense workout with guard Dwyane Wade.

Hardaway showed quickness and movement not normally associated with a 36-year-old attempting a comeback. He was victorious in a playful practice competition with Wade, who said he is embracing Hardaway because he is a fellow ‘gym rat.’ Read more

Wherever Kobe Bryant ends up - Chicago, New York and Dallas the early favorites - the ownership and front office will be obligated to designate it as his team. via The Washington Times