Shaquille O’Neal News

The Orlando Magic and Miami Heat are like trains passing back and forth in the night. via The Ledger

Clippers forward Tim Thomas was listed as day-to-day after undergoing tests on his injured left knee. via Fox Sports

Dwyane Wade was weary, Shaquille O’Neal wasn’t around, and the Miami Heat never stood much of a chance against the balanced Washington Wizards.

Andray Blatche scored 18 points, the Wizards led by as many as 30, and they beat the Heat 96-74 Saturday night, Miami’s fourth loss in a row.

It was the lowest point total for the Heat _ or any Wizards opponent _ this season.

Washington is without its share of key players, too _ most notably All-Star guard Gilbert Arenas and Antonio Daniels _ but has adjusted well. Read more

“I don’t have any control, so why worry about it?”

Because the numbers don’t lie, Heat coach Pat Riley is seeking a lower truth.

While the Heat is at the bottom of the standings, it awoke Wednesday with guard Dwyane Wade leading the league in turnovers and center Shaquille O’Neal leading the league in fouls.

Not only did Wade enter Wednesday’s game against the 76ers atop the NBA in turnovers, but his 4.5 average was well ahead of the 3.7 of runners-up Jason Kidd and Allen Iverson.

‘We put a lot on Dwyane,’ Riley said. ‘I think he can make better decisions, there’s no doubt about that, maybe getting off the ball a little earlier when there’s traps.’ Read more

Heat center Shaquille O’Neal was not in the listed starting lineup Friday night when Miami hosted the Orlando Magic, one day after getting treatment on his sore hips. via NBA.com

“It was just a wave to Pat that night”

Twice.

That’s how many times Stan Van Gundy has been back these past two years to the building where he toiled for 11 seasons as a Heat assistant and then Heat coach.

‘I was at a concert once. I don’t even remember who it was,’ he said. ‘And a few days after I resigned, I came back while the team was on the West Coast and dropped off Christmas presents at night.’

Tonight, Van Gundy returns to AmericanAirlines Arena to coach the Magic against the team he helped prep for its 2006 NBA title, the first time he will be back on the court since stepping aside after a Dec. 11, 2005, Heat victory over Washington. Read more

Heat center Shaquille O’Neal and point guard Jason Williams were listed as day-to-day Thursday, after both had nagging injuries checked out by Miami team doctors. via WSVN-TV Miami Beach

“And I don’t know if we really have an answer.”

Oh, it’s coming. And it’s going to be huge. Enormous. Apocalyptic.

At least it will be if history is any guide.

In 1996, after an ugly performance in Philadelphia every bit as tormenting as Wednesday’s 96-85 setback against the 76ers, Heat coach Pat Riley ripped apart his roster, disinfected the stench of a season going sour.

Less than 24 hours after that 66-57 victory on the 76ers’ home court on Feb. 21, 1996, Riley went to market.

Gone were Kevin Willis, Bimbo Coles, Billy Owens, Kevin Gamble and Terence Rencher. In were Tim Hardaway, Chris Gatling, Walt Williams, Ty Corbin, Tony Smith and Jeff Malone. Read more

“O’Neal conceded that his deeply ingrained ways contributed to the unraveling of his marriage.”

Apparently, Daequan Cook’s greatest sin is being a rookie.

Asked Wednesday why the first-round pick was benched in Monday’s victory over Minnesota, just days after he said the guard would be getting more minutes, Heat coach Pat Riley initially would only say, ‘I didn’t get to him.’

Pressed further, Riley acknowledged that the 20-year-old has not been bringing home the strongest grades.

‘I like what he’s doing,’ Riley said, ‘but there’s some games that he’s not scoring well defensively, and he’s a little erratic with his handle. And his shot selection is less than …’ Read more

LeBron James felt the Christmas spirit, dishing out 12 assists while pouring in 25 points, as the Cleveland Cavaliers used a big run late in the third quarter to top the Miami Heat, 96-82, in a battle between … via WHYN-AM Springfield

“It was really tough when (All-Star guard) Dwyane (Wade) was out”

Shaq says his lack of production is due in part to reduced attempts from floor Much has been written about the demise of Heat center Shaquille O’Neal this season. via The News-Herald

“Right now, at times we’ve come out flat and dug ourselves a hole.”

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat are the last two Eastern Conference champions, but they both have significant work to do to get back to the playoffs, let alone the NBA Finals. via ESPN

“I played him primarily at the ‘4″

Chris Quinn is out for a week.

Smush Parker is out forever.

And the last man standing, Jason Williams, missed time last week with a hyper-extended knee.

So is there a point guard in the house?

Heat coach Pat Riley said he hopes rookie Daequan Cook can provide an answer to the team’s diminishing inventory at the position.

‘Daequan’s going to be handling some of the point at times,’ Riley said before Saturday’s home game against the Jazz.

Cook, who spent time at the point during his lone season at Ohio State, welcomes the opportunity. Read more

“I know (Alex) English, (David) Thompson and (Dan) Issel”

Shaquille O’Neal was seated courtside at the Pepsi Center in Denver after a morning shootaround in 1999, taking off his size-22 shoes and gazing upward at the rafters. via MySanAntonio.com

Dwyane Wade hit a 20-foot jumper at the buzzer to give the Miami Heat a 104-102 win over the Utah Jazz. via WANE-TV Fort Wayne