Shaquille O’Neal News

Jordan Farmar scored a career-high 24 points, Kobe Bryant added 21 and the Los Angeles Lakers extended their winning streak to a season-best 10 games Thursday night with a 106-88 victory over the Miami Heat.

The Lakers (41-17) maintained their one-game lead over the defending champion San Antonio Spurs for best record in the Western Conference, and lead Phoenix and New Orleans by two. Just 6 1/2 games separate the top nine teams in the West.

The double-digit winning streak is the 23rd in Lakers’ franchise history and 19th in Los Angeles — including an NBA-record 33-game run during the 1971-72 championship season, when Miami coach Pat Riley was playing for them. Read more

“We can go small now with Udonis, and I think be a real good defensive team”

Through the first four games of the Shawn Marion Experience, the Heat has learned that even at a lithe 6 feet 7, Marion makes for a heck of a power forward.

Tonight against the Philadelphia 76ers at AmericanAirlines Arena , the Heat could get its first look at Marion at his natural small forward position.

After missing the past nine games with a sprained left ankle, Udonis Haslem is expected to return to the lineup at power forward and play for the first time as Marion’s teammate. Read more

The Miami Heat broke an 11-game losing streak as Shawn Marion scored 24 points and Udonis Haslem added 17 to beat the Sacramento Kings 107-86 in the NBA on Tuesday. via PR-inside.com

It was headlined as a - Battle of Titans’ , the potential representatives to the NBA Finals. via ArmchairGM

“They went through their bad years already”

Certainly none would be forthcoming from the likes of LeBron James , Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh , his brethren from the heralded 2003 draft, with whom he mingled courtside during the rookie-sophomore game … via Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal

Tracy McGrady scored 23 points, Yao Ming added 21 and the Houston Rockets won their 10th straight game, a 112-100 victory over Miami on Thursday night that sent the Heat to their 10th straight loss. via Lexington Herald-Leader

The Lakers and Suns are tied at 37-17 atop the Pacific Division with a third of the regular season left to play. via BleacherReport

“I’m not just going to do something because they have an expiring contract”

Asked specifically about Curry at Wednesday’s practice at AmericanAirlines Arena , Riley said, “Wrong. Wrong. via AMNY

“I have to get the wind up a little bit more and get in tune with what’s going on. You want to fit in. You want to be a piece of the puzzle that fits in.”

Shaquille O’Neal doesn’t expect to make his debut for the Phoenix Suns until after the NBA All-Star break. via News Observer

“I would like a little respect from this man. I’ve done everything right. Done everything in a positive way. So I would like a little respect.”

There is a feud brewing between two of the best bigmen in NBA history. After Shaquille O’Neal was traded to the Phoenix Suns, Bill Walton had this to say about the off-injured center that was sidelined for the … via USA Today

“This is still a long-run program.”

The Minnesota Timberwolves sure seemed to be headed in the right direction. Two weeks ago, they had won five out of seven games while star Al Jefferson was named the Western Conference Player of the Week for a … via Rapid City Journal

“That usually takes three or four years. That alone says the first half of the season has been bizarre.”

Shaquille O’Neal was traded for the second time in 3 1/2 years. This fictional, bizarro, practical joke of a world has not yet been identified, known for the moment by its working title of “David Stern’s Dream … via Sacramento Bee Newspaper

Ah, for the good old days — even if they were only a year ago for the Bulls and Miami Heat. via Chicago Sun-Times

CHICAGO : Kirk Hinrich scored 24 points to lead the Chicago Bulls over Miami 99-92 and send the Heat to their 24th loss in 25 games despite solid outings by Dwyane Wade and Shawn Marion on Thursday. via International Herald Tribune

“I’m chomping at the bit to see what we have got. You want to open the present to see what you have got, but we have to be smart. He did have the hip injury. I think everybody is chomping at the bit.”

Not ready to make his Phoenix Suns’ debut, Shaquille O’Neal continued his recent role as cheerleader as he sat on the bench and watched his new teammates take care of business. via Earth Times