No words can actually describe this post, but it makes me believe there are good people out there, even celebrities/athletes. I became aware of this story a little over a month ago on Nancy Grace. All it took was one look at Shaniya Davis’ face to capture me. Shaniya was found dead on a side of a road in Fayetteville, NC. At the age of five years old, Shaniya was raped and murdered. Her mother was charged with child prostitution! It angers me to even write that! I hope she gets what she deserves behind bars! 

Shaq was touched by this little girls story and payed for her funeral service which was an estimated $4500. O’neal told The Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper, “I was sitting at home watching it on the news and the story brought a tear to my eye.”

I am at a loss for words for this post, Shaniya’s story touched many people across the country and Shaq didn’t have to do anything, he didn’t know them.But Shaq has a heart and thought with it! I am not a follower of basketball, he’s not my “favorite basketball player” however he is my favorite for thinking of a family who was less fortunate.

In a move befitting generosity Shaquille O’Neal has paid for little Shaniya Davis’s funeral the five year old Carolina girl who was raped and murdered after her mother prostituted her to pay for a drug debt.

I am amazed at the money that professional athletes make and it can be mind boggling to imagine that any one person is worth the money they are paid but I always applaud any one regardless of their stature who does a kind deed.

So today my hat is off to Shaquille O’Neal who with less money than what is probably chump change he has made a reall difference in the family of a child who has suffered enough. Good use of your money Shaq!

Shaquille O’Neal reached out to Shaniya Davis’ father to find out how he could help in the wake of the tragic death of his daughter.

Via ESPN:

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Basketball star Shaquille O’Nea paid for the funeral of a 5-year-old North Carolina girl after being moved by national news coverage of the case of Shaniya Davis, who police say was kidnapped and killed.

The Cleveland Cavaliers player was touched by the stories he saw and got in touch with the family to see what he could do to help, a spokeswoman for O’Neal said Thursday.

More than 2,000 people attended the girl’s funeral Sunday. Her body was found Nov. 16 beside a rural road.

Her mother, Antionette Davis, who had reported the child missing six days earlier, is charged with human trafficking and child abuse involving prostitution. Mario McNeill is charged with murder, rape and kidnapping in the case.

“I was sitting at home watching it on the news and the story brought a tear to my eye,” O’Neal told The Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper.

Corey Breece, of Rogers and Breece Funeral Home, which handled the service, declined to tell the Fayetteville Observer newspaper how much it cost but added that a child’s funeral “averages around $4,500.”

A man who answered the phone at the funeral home Thursday told the AP that only the owner could comment and that he was away.

Shaniya Davis’ father, Bradley Lockhart, and his family had set up a trust fund in memory of Shaniya to help raise money to pay for the funeral. Lockhart was not available to talk Thursday, said a man who answered the phone at his home.

Professional basketball star Shaquille O’Neal paid for the funeral of a 5-year-old North Carolina girl Shaniya Davis whose body was found last week, O’Neal’s team confirmed Thursday. Her funeral was Sunday. Read the entire story by clicking the link below:

http://www.letstalkhonestly.com/blacknewsblackviews.html

The AP is reporting that the legendary professional Basketball player Allen Iverson is set to announce his retirement from the N.B.A. Iverson , a former Most Valuable Player for the N.B.A. has been in the league since the 1996 season, in which he was drafted in the first round by the Philadelphia 76ers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allen_Iverson

He played with the Sixers for 10 years. During his tenure he was Rookie of the Year, League MVP, 2x All-Star MVP, and led the league in scoring for four years. After his rookie season, during which he led the 76ers in points, assists and minutes, Iverson was named the 1996 NBA Rookie of the Year and was a member of the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

The 10-time All-Star played three games this season with Memphis before taking a leave of absence to attend to personal matters. He was waived after the two sides agreed to part ways.

The New York Knicks considered signing Iverson last week after he cleared waivers, before deciding he would take too much playing time away from younger players they are trying to develop.

With no apparent interest from any other NBA teams, Allen Iverson is set to retire.

Iverson will always be credited for popularizing the streetball style move called the cross-over, and for his exciting tricky aggressive driving style of play.

He was never the tallest on the floor, just the most dangerous player that always wanted the ball.

Allen Iverson is a sho-in for the Hall of Fame, and I suspect that he can still run with the best of them, given a team that can design their plays to allow Iverson to shoot at will.

I personally enjoyed the years I got to watch him compete in the NBA, and I look forward to seeing what he does in the future.

Thanks for the 100 percent effort Allen Iverson…you were worth watching and you will be missed.

Read the full story here…

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hPZfEWbAiIKgjsNDLhC1jiVSsJZAD9C78M580

Throwback

Check this parody out! Ice Cream Paint Job lol

HUaH!

Kobe Bryant is the best basketball player I have ever seen. There I said it!  Before you get angry and call me crazy, allow me to state his case. Yes, Michael Jordan elevated the game. There is no question about it – he raised the bar. MJ had every ballplayer, male and female alike, high school, college, weekend warrior, or average hoopster, wanting to be like Mike.

Having acknowledged his tremendous influence on the game globally, brings me to why I make such a claim. MJ influenced the game of today that every player that ever plays from now on will always be compared to him. So, if one looks at the players of today as his children, which one best reflects his father? 

Kobe is at this stage of his career and one could say he is just reaching his prime. However, he is a better shooter than MJ, has better handles, has a better left hand, and the same killer instinct. He is also as fierce a defender. I can hear the fellas in my barbershop now, “you crazy!” Were it not for Colorado, and the Shaq incidents, many would have conceded this quite some time ago. When Kobe’s name is mentioned, his critics only talk about off the court behavior. What about MJ’s records and achievements?  As was said, Kobe is just now reaching his prime and has more championships than MJ did at this stage. However, whether or not he gets MJ’s records in and of themselves is no real measure, for Kobe’s NBA is filled with MJ imitators.  Today’s league has many more talented players for whom the game just comes easily.

In 1984, when MJ entered the league, many of these players were not born, and others were toddlers, they learned the game by watching Jordan. They wore his shoes, wore baggy shorts because of him, some even tried to stick their tongues out in a similar fashion. With all of that, Kobe still dominates a league built on the Jordan brand. He more than any player since, not just resembles MJ, but also has shown the work ethic to build on that brand.  Bryant is fueled by the hatred, whatever he is challenged to do he does. Jordan never had to play through a Colorado type incident, people chanting rapist, flying to court then back to work, all the while excelling at his craft. Jordan’s image was so carefully protected; one wonders how it would have held up under such trial.

MJ too spoke harshly to teammates. It is revisionist history to make it appear as though everyone who played alongside Jordan just loved him. He helped get a coach fired; players traded, and early on was considered selfish on the court. This is not to take anything away from him, only to say that when you are that driven, that focused and the fire burns that hot in you, people will be affected in different ways.

When questioned away from the spotlight, most of the players in the NBA admit that Kobe is the best among them. LeBron (James) may be bigger, stronger and faster, but does not have that killer instinct. He is a businessman and basketball player but, Kobe (like Mike), was born to play basketball. The league is filled with great talent, I would rank Dwayne Wade behind Kobe, however, LeBron, Carmelo (Anthony) and others are making a name for themselves.

So there it is my case for Kobe as the best. Not the best person, teammate, husband or father, just the best at his profession. I hope my doctor is a good husband, but I definitely need him to be a great doctor. My barber may not like the person who works in the chair next to him, but please don’t let that affect my Saturday appointment.  Likewise, Kobe may not be many things but the one thing he is is a phenomenal basketball player… the best I have ever seen.  Let the hate continue!

Bro Richard

What value would you attach to talent? What price would you be willing to pay someone for their dedication? How about for their intensity and even plain old ability? Seriously … take a moment and think about this. If you had spent all or most of your childhood, adolescence and young adulthood training and preparing to do what you love to do (on a professional level) what things would you want someone to consider when they negotiate your salary?

 Think like a professional athlete for a moment. I think my perspective would have to be explained by showing you what these men and women hear on a pretty regular basis from:

 Team Owners:

“Remember now, if you get hurt on the job, there is no workman’s compensation. You are expected to, within reason, get up, shake it off, and keep it moving. Maybe you didn’t sleep well the night before. Who cares? GO TO WORK! Even if a close family member or friend dies, if you are scheduled to work, you will go to work.”

It isn’t just your boss who expects this – he or she is mostly concerned about the thousands of screaming fans in attendance, and possibly millions more watching at home or from various sports bars and other venues. Your team’s owner knows who is going to watch you, critique your performance, take pictures of you at your very worst moment, and plaster these images all over the internet, television and newspapers. He also knows how this will affect the franchise…the brand. You are, after all, a PRODUCT.

 Vendors:

“You see, we depend upon you. We are able to make OUR living because of what YOU do. Our clients turn to you for entertainment. We plan major events around what you are doing. We need to sell hot dogs and beer…you can’t let us down now! What will happen to us?”

 Endorsers:

“Listen…I need to sell my (insert anything and everything you can possibly think of) and if I put your face on the (insert packaging description), I am sure that my profits will increase! Yes, I will give you a very small percentage of my earnings, but I will complain about it, because you are already making all that money for, I mean … that team is already paying you a hefty salary. I do not care how many expenses you have, I just want to get paid!”

 Fans:

“GET YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME! I can’t believe you dropped that ball! We’re not going to make it to the playoffs this year because of YOU. No home field advantage? What the… What do you mean you have a torn rotator cuff? Suck it UP! All my life I dreamed of playing professional sports…now that I can live through you (since it didn’t work out for me) PLAY THE GAME THE WAY I WOULD HAVE PLAYED IT! What kind of role model ARE you? I want my kids to be able to look up to you! I can’t be a good example as a parent, so I’ve chosen YOU, sports figure, to put on a pedestal and if you do ANYTHING wrong, I will make sure you never play in this league again!”

 Granted, if things are going very well for you and your sport, this makes everyone happy and your salary is justified. (Umm…how often does THAT happen?)

Still think professional athletes are overpaid? Tell me what you REALLY think. I’m just sayin…

Cleveland Cavaliers center
Shaquille O’Neal is moonlighting as
a curator overseeing an art
exhibition titled “Size DOES Matter,
” coming in February to New York’s
nonprofit Flag Art Foundation.

Okay, so I watched bits and pieces of the Cavaliers and Wizards game when I wasn’t watching Modern Family (Wednesday nights at 9:00 PM on ABC) and I wasn’t really impressed. That is in general and on an individual basis for players on either team, except for Antawn Jamison. And Mike Miller. And the incredible Earl Boykins, but not for the same reason as the other two gentlemen.

First of all, the Cavs have had a problem for a while now, dating back to their series with the Magic, of not remembering that the game is 60 minutes long and doesn’t end until the final buzzer sounds. That may seem a little Madden-esque in its obviousness, but the Cavs can’t seem to put good to great teams away after earning a lead.

The reason why the Cavs lost last night could be attributed to many factors, facing a team with more glaring talent not among them. What I felt was the deciding factor is that Cleveland was outhustled by a Wizards team that needed a victory more than the Cavaliers did. The Wizards outrebounded the Cavaliers 49-35, and 16-6 on the offensive boards.

And there are even reasons for this lopsided rebounding total that can be excused by some on the Cleveland side. The Cavs played without Shaq, who despite his lost talents is still a big body that can sway a rebounding battle, especially with Brendan Haywood. Along with that, energy boost and all around hustler Anderson Varejao was noticeably absent from the Cavaliers.

It is very true when anyone says “you don’t know what you got until its gone”. A player’s value is most noticeable when he is no longer there. It happens all the time to any team that trades a significant player, and is most glaring when it is a midseason move. Remember the Chauncey Billups/Allen Iverson swap? Of course you do, who doesn’t? Billups was the wheels for the Detroit vehicle; he allowed it to flow smoothly and without much interruption. He was the distributer and leader of a team of veterans that lost focus after he left.

I could even notice it with Rashard Lewis being absent from the Magic’s first ten games where his excellent three-point shooting at the power forward position was glaringly absent and teams played the Magic like a standard team with Brandon Bass in the paint.

What does this mean for Cleveland? It means nothing as long as LeBron’s injury isn’t serious enough for him to miss major playing time. The Wizards and Cavaliers will see each other at least two more times, and nobody would be surprised if they met up in the playoffs and rekindled some of that magic from yesteryear. However, a fully healthy Cavaliers team should beat a fully healthy Wizards team more often than not, unless Gilbert can become near superhuman as he has in the too distant past for my liking.

How could I not have spoken about the most recent uprising that Allen Iverson is leading yet? To me, it is the best thing for Allen to do, even though it is some extremely childish behavior (if you don’t give me what I want, I will pout and make it miserable for everyone). Going to New York wont solve his problems, unless his only true problem is he wants to start again.

I thought at this point that Iverson would have seen that the end is drawing near and he should try and cement his legacy in the league by being on a contender once again. But, Iverson has always been the bronco that was impossible to break. You can think that you finally had the saddle on him and were calmly riding him around the ranch when he bucks you 15 feet into the sky only to have you crashing down on your fragile skull.

I thought that the Bobcats are the ideal situation for Iverson until they traded for Stephen Jackson, almost assuring no Iverson and Brown reunion. I don’t understand the Bobcats yet, but I hopefully will eventually. They are going through so much player turnover to try and find an identity that can bring more victories than headaches; maybe Jackson is that piece that can steady the ship.

He assuredly brings some much needed scoring and the Bobcats traded away Raja Bell who is having wrist surgery and Vladimir Radmanovic who didn’t play that often for Charlotte anyway. So I would say that is a net positive for the Bobcats if they can play Jackson at the 2, Gerald Wallace (the human tornado) at the 3 (or visa versa), then they could have some solid scoring potential from their wing players.

I have a Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Ruins episode recap if you want one, and we all know you do. Here it is:

Jack Daniels leads to an angry and drunk Brad who takes it out on his female teammates at first. Then, in a foolish and life-threatening move, Brad focuses his drunken rage onto Darrell Taylor, a muscular black man who was a boxer for 8 years and had a bit to drink himself.

Brad, not realizing the physical harm that could be inflicted, provoked Darrell, sending Darrell into a blind rage where he took Brad to the ground and punched him in the face multiple times. The results were twofold: first, Brad’s eye swelled up and made him resemble the elephant man, the second was both Darrell and Brad were kicked off, leaving the Challengers with only one male competitor left (Dunbar).

Then, Kelly Anne, who is someone who you can watch easily with the volume muted, started arguing with Dunbar because she heard that he was bragging about, uh, having relations with her. Dunbar denied ever proclaiming such heroics, but Kelly Anne insisted and really messed with the little team chemistry that remained.

The actual challenge was not all that exciting; they traversed hanging fences a couple hundred feet in the air. No big deal, the champions won, as always. So the champions sent in Katie to face Kimberly (the secret racist who doesn’t know any better) and they sent in Johnny Bananas (not his real last name, just a nickname) to face Dunbar, the lone male on the challengers. The episode ending with a “to be continued”, which is always disappointing and frustrating since I devoted an hour of my night to see who gets kicked off.

I really hope that the teams are mixed up better next season. For a couple of seasons now, one team dominates, which is not fun. You wouldn’t want to watch a Yankees-Royals series for 3 straight months would you? Next season they are doing a rehashing of “Fresh Meat”, which introduced us to the lovely, Evan, Kenny, Evelyn, Diem, and Casey.

I didn’t like “Fresh Meat” and I am not fond of them doing it again, unless they can’t secure enough former cast members to come back. There really is no difference between these newcomers and the former casts of the Real World or Road Rules; they all want fame and attention but don’t want to do much other than work on their bodies and get paid for it. Still, it’s the principle of the matter.

Onto a more ridiculous topic: the Cleveland Browns. Firing Eric Mangini before the season is over is a bad idea. It won’t turn the team around this season and leaves the team without an identifiable leader. Perhaps though, they could replicate the 49ers last season, which fired Mike Nolan and replaced him with Mike Singletary, who seems to be a good fit with that young team. Who would replace Mangini though? My best guess would be Rob Ryan, twin brother of Jets head coach Rex. He brings fire and enthusiasm, things Mangini seems to be purposefully eliminating from his memory bank.

And to my beloved Brady Quinn, who by all accounts last week, sucked. I can even admit that he did not play well at all. However, his two interceptions bounced off of receivers’ hands, which is in part his fault for not timing the throws better or putting them in a better spot. However, Steve Young, who knows a little bit about playing quarterback, said that not even Peyton Manning or Tom Brady could succeed with the talent level around Quinn (and for that matter Anderson).

The Browns have young offensive talent who may not be as good as some presumed them to be. And those players who could make plays last year were removed by Mangini as an attempt to establish dominance, which seems to me to be inherent with the position of head coach but whatever. Plus, the Browns were facing a Ravens team that was embarrassed and angry about their performance in the previous weeks leading up to the matchup.

All I am saying is that the Browns, and specifically Quinn, had no chance of succeeding. And another thing, everyone who is complaining about the throws during the last couple of seconds during the game that sailed out of bounds should shut up. Did that change the outcome of the game or were they meaningless attempts that were more symbolic than consequential? Sure, I would have liked to see the receiver have an opportunity to make a play, but Cribbs (the target) was triple covered with no hope of success. There were a lot of things to pick apart in Quinn’s game on Monday, but that should not be one of them.

I am starting to believe that Quinn will never be able to succeed in Cleveland, especially not with this coaching regime that removed all confidence he had in them when they benched him. Perhaps a change in scenery is the only way the Quinn can start over and become the quarterback a lot of people thought that he could be.

Seriously though, and I have said this before, Quinn is not the type of quarterback that can succeed with average talent around him. He needs a playmaker to find the openings in the defense. He needs someone who can turn a 5-yard catch into a 20-yard explosion. Or he needs an incredibly great safety valve that he can dump the ball to when in trouble (like he had in Kellen Winslow before Mangini removed him).

Oh, and one more thing. It boggles my mind that the Browns have not given Josh Cribbs the money he not only deserves, but is continuing to earn. He is the only reason the watch Browns games right now, he works hard on special teams (returning and covering), and he has done everything that is asked of him. Yet, the Browns have yet to figure out that it would be a good idea, no, great idea to resign him and give him a lot of money.

I have often wondered why those of us who love sports are so intent on comparing players’ athletic prowess with that of their predecessors … is it just so difficult for us to believe that more than one athlete has amazing talent and statistics?

I do not think anyone should EVER compare Kobe Bryant to Michael Jordan. Why? It’s obvious.

Because there IS no comparison between the totally awesome Kobe Bryant (my fav) and Hall of Famer Michael Jordan (Kobe’s fav).

We all know that Michael Jordan has pure, raw talent. His motivation, as he told the world during his speech at the Hall of Fame Induction this year, was to be “the best” in order to spite all of the people that he believes tried to hold him back, or who failed to give him his “props.” In order to accomplish this, Jordan knew that he needed to win championships. For Jordan, it was just that simple. He is, after all, pretty easy to understand since he is so simple.

Kobe Bryant wants to be the best at the game of basketball because he loves and respects the game. Kobe knows the rules, inside and out, and his head is always in the game. He is an intelligent player who acts as the primary connection between head coach Phil Jackson and the rest of the players on his team. Yes, Kobe is motivated by winning championships. He desires, like many great men and women, to leave his mark on the game, but not because someone in his past said that he wasn’t good enough.

These two players did not enter the NBA under the same circumstances. Michael Jordan played college basketball for the great Dean Smith of the UNC Tar (gasp) Heels, and had four years of the best preparation available for his esteemed NBA career. Everyone knows how many NBA’ers sat under the tutelage of Coach Smith. On the other hand, Kobe Bryant was so totally awesome that he was drafted into the NBA at the tender age of 17, right out of high school. He has told reporters that he was not even old enough to legally sign his own NBA contract…because he was not yet 18. Wow, he must have impressed someone.

Jordan and Bryant’s mentors and/ or idols of the game are not the same. Jordan had a completely different set of players to look up to, and emulate. Kobe? Well, he emulated Jordan. Why, then, would anyone compare the two? And why would anyone decide that it is a negative thing that Kobe would want to be like someone who played the game of basketball the way Michael Jordan did? Hmmm … this just makes no sense.

Throughout time, people have sought to leave a legacy for those who would come behind them. Michael Jordan is not the deep-thinking type of person who says that he hopes to influence younger players, but most of the greats of the game say just that. They’ve paved the way for younger players to play smarter, negotiate better salaries and endorsement deals, and they have helped influence greater team diversity, etc. Kobe attempts to nurture the players on his team. Jordan was never accused of such a thing.

I admire both of these players, and I appreciate their personal and professional attributes. I am, however, Kobe’s biggest fan. That might be the number one, and final, reason why THERE IS NO COMPARISON between KOBE BRYANT and Michael Jordan. Period.

I’m just saying…

According to the My Family Law.com Celebrity blog, Shaquille O’Neal’s wife, Va’shaundya O’Neal, has filed a request for a legal separation from Shaq with the Court in Los Angeles. Many times have I been asked by clients and potential clients about obtaining a “legal separation” in Pennsylvania. Each time, my answer is the same – there is no “legal separation” under Pennsylvania law.

Under Pennsylvania law, a person is either married or not. Once a person is married, that person is considered to be married until the first to occur of the death of one of the spouses or until a divorce decree is entered. No matter how long the spouses have been estranged, they are still considered married. There is no legal separation. It’s that simple. Similarly, for federal income tax purposes, if two spouses are separated and not yet divorced, if there are no children, they could either file a joint tax return or file “married filing separate”. Neither spouse can file as “single”.

Not everyone sees it that way. Several years ago, in a divorce case in which I represented the wife, the husband’s insurance carrier wanted to drop the wife from the health insurance coverage on the basis that the parties were “legally separated”. Once it was brought to the insurance company’s attention that there is no legal separation in Pennsylvania, the wife was placed back on the the health insurance coverage.

Obviously, California law allows for the filing of legal pleadings to establish a legal separation.

what a dawg.  Shaq and shaunie O’neal have been the latest buzz for cheating/divorce scandal.  If you haven’t already heard the gossip, he has allegedly been cheating on his wife with Wizard’s baller Gilbert Arena’s wife, Laura Govan.  There has been text and email messages of Shaq meeting up with this chick during away games and having sex in hotel rooms.

Read messages HERE–>http://mobile.theybf.com/index.php/2009/11/05/exclusive-is-shaq-cheating-on-shaunieagain/?wpmp_switcher=mobile

I am not suprised by this bit of gossip and I do believe that Shaq would pull some of this mess. Not because he’s a Que and “Dog” is in his blood, but because he is a Man.  No all dogs don’t go to heaven and he got caught up.  It’s pretty simple to me, Shaunie needs to go ahead and follow through with the divorce, take half of his inheritance and get out of his life.  (He moves like sloth on the court now anyways)

Hmmm…shaq and kobe are friends. Birds of a feather FLOCK together!

SHAQ AND SHAUNIE’S REALITY SHOW IN
LIMBO

The reality show filmed by
Shaquille and Shaunie O’Neal before
their marriage took a decisive turn
last week may find its way to at
least one network still willing to
give it a chance. A&E still
considering whether to purchase the
show filmed before last week’s turn
of events.

CHRIS BROWN HECKLED DURING NY
APPEARANCE

Chris Brown got an earful of
judgment from a woman during a
public promo appearance in New York
last week. Whe woman shouted ‘I
hope someone beats the f**king crap
out of you!’

DENZEL WATCHES SON’S FIRST COLLEGE
GAME

As Malcolm Washington suited up for
his first game with the University
of Pennsylvania basketball team
Friday night, his dad, Denzel, sat
three rows behind the bench
cheering him on.

LEBRON MAY SWITCH JERSEY NO. TO
HONOR JORDAN

He has worn #23 in honor of NBA
legend Michael Jordan since his
high school days, but now,
Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron
James says he and everyone else in
the NBA should give up the number
out of respect to His Airness.

Bosh heads to the desert tonight

Believe it or not, there may actually be a team in the NBA that plays worse D than the Raptors. Unfortunately, they’ll also light you on fire on the other end. If you hadn’t figured it out (which you would’ve by reading the title of this post), Chris Bosh and the boys are running with Steve Nash and the Suns in Phoenix tonight. Full preview over at Raptors Republic, as usual.

The Suns have actually turned some heads this season, which makes sense given they rid themselves of some dead weight by dumping Shaq Diesel and retreating to their run-and-gun attack. Sure, they’ll never win a championship with it, but as long as Nash is in town it’ll be their best chance to win games. Kid Canada has Phoenix at 8-2 and has numbers rivaling those of his back-t0-back MVP seasons in 2005 and 2006 (17.1 ppg, 11.8 apg and 53.9% from the field). The Suns did, however, got some wind taken from their sails in a 121-102 loss to the Lakers on Thursday.

To be honest, I’m not liking Toronto’s chances in this one. On the bright side, that might make it a bit easier to stomach if they lose — at least easier than the losses in Memphis and San Antonio. The Raptors and Suns get it tipping at eight from US Airways Center.

Yes!!! The NBA season has started once again. In the off season a couple changes were made to the teams, which could completely change the standings in the long run, or not. First off lets start with Shaq moving to the cavaliers. Shaq was probably one of the most dominant players in the post back in the old days, and I have great respect for him. But lets be true to ourselves for one minute, he’s just too old. All those years of domination have definitely taken a great toll on the big fella, and even superman can’t take a beating almost everyday in the post and still expect to come out fresh when he gets old. If Shaq had been younger, I’m sure him and Lebron (In my and many people’s opinion the best player in the league) could have dominated, and they still will make some good plays this year, but I don’t think shaq will be the reason Cleveland goes as far as they did last year. As for Kevin Durant, moving to the Oklahoma city thunder was one of the best things he could have done. He now has his own team that he can build himself a name with and in the future, possibly still be playing late in June.  Maybe not in the near future, but mark my words, he will eventually get there. The teams that I think will do well as the season progresses are the boston celtics, the la lakers, the cleveland cavaliers and the miami heat. I think all these teams have solid line ups and they are all experienced past the second round of the playoffs, so hopefully one of them will take the title. MVP of the season? Definately Lebron, and I know there are a lot of haters, but just remember, the most hated are often the best. Having that said, kobe might take it if e keeps playing the way he is now. Now, I’m sure everyone’s heard about the big free agency list in the summer of 2010, and I don’t know about you, but I cannot wait!! Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh , Lebron James (just to mention a few) are all being moved. I think this free agency list can change the the whole NBA as we know it. I’m sure everybody is dying to know about who is going where, especially in the case of Lebron James (he is 90% going to the knicks ) but honestly, untill then,  we just have to wait and see.

This is gonna make one awesome poster.

In this game with the legend Micheal Jordan in attendance and another legend Shaq resting in the Cavs bench, D Wade shows why he should be rated up there with the best of ‘em.

Btw, that was an awesome block by Jermain Oneal on none other than Lebron James.

NBA star, Shaquille O’Neal and his wie, Shaunie, are heading for a divorce amid rumours of an affair between Shaq and Laura Govan (fiancee of ‘Wizards’ star Gilbert Arenas).

Shaunie has pulled their kids out of their school in Florida and has moved to LA.

Although TV Production company A&E are still considering whether or not to purchase it, it seems as though the O’Neal’s reality show ‘Love Shaq’ will not air as the pair’s marriage has collapsed before the first episode. Lol.

Shaquille O'Neal in his latest incarnation as a Cavalier. O'Neal was so moved by the little girl's tragic death that he paid for all of the funeral expenses (Courtesy: Denver Post)

For the record, the usual child’s funeral costs about $4,500. It’s not chicken feed.

Basketball star Shaquille O’Neal paid for the funeral of a 5-year-old North Carolina girl after being moved by national news coverage of the case of Shaniya Davis, who police say was kidnapped and killed.

The Cleveland Cavaliers player was touched by the stories he saw and got in touch with the family to see what he could do to help, a spokeswoman for O’Neal said Thursday.

More than 2,000 people attended the girl’s funeral Sunday. Her body was found Nov. 16 beside a rural road.

Her mother, Antoinette Davis, who had reported the child missing six days earlier, is charged with human trafficking and child abuse involving prostitution. Mario McNeill is charged with murder, rape and kidnapping in the case.

“I was sitting at home watching it on the news and the story brought a tear to my eye,” O’Neal told The Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper.

Better make sure that Bradley Lockhart’s mitts aren’t on the money raised for the little girl’s funeral expenses. It was announced that the money already raised would be given to charities and organizations concerned with child abuse. It had better be; any money sent to a bank in the name of a missing or murdered child is still the property of the people who set up the account–either Bradley Lockhart or his sister Carey Lockhart-Davis. These people’s actions should be watched. I wouldn’t be surprised if more than $4,500 was raised; and that’s enough for any one to suddenly get greedy.

Art Spander from Real Clear Sports says it all about what I think about what Shaq did.

The holiday had nothing to do with it, although the timing was exquisite. The gesture by Shaquille O’Neal happened to be announced on Thanksgiving, and that gave greater meaning to a unique act of kindness.

We are too familiar with the manner some athletes have gained headlines away from their games. So many have been arrested, whether for serious offenses, Plaxico Burress pleading guilty to criminal possession of a weapon, or lesser ones.

If Shaq is guilty of anything, however, it’s sensitivity. Others may have shamed sports, made us ask “What’s the matter with these guys? Don’t they have a brain in their head?”

O’Neal provided a large percentage of pride. He did what’s right. Without being asked or coaxed.

Shaq is far from perfect. He is being sued for divorce. But he always has been a caring individual, raised in a military family by a stepfather who demanded discipline and respect.

Shaq may play a mean game of basketball, although now at age 37, he is too often injured, including currently, having not been in uniform for the Cleveland Cavaliers since mid-November because of a shoulder ailment.

In the game of life, as so many big men, O’Neal rarely is mean.

Perhaps he does not fit the mythical category of Gentle Giant. So we label him the Considerate Competitor. Or employ the description he often has used on himself, the Big Socrates.

Touched by the tragedy of 5-year-old Shaniya Davis, who police say was kidnapped and killed, and whose body was found a week and a half ago beside a rural road in North Carolina, O’Neal paid for the child’s funeral.

“I was sitting at home watching it on the news,” O’Neal told the Cleveland Plain Dealer, “and the story brought a tear to my eye.”

He saw what we all saw, hate, pain, tragedy, tales told repeatedly in modern society. A girl he didn’t know. A story we all know. Shaquille O’Neal was not content merely to step away.

He never has been.

Read the whole thing about Shaq. Some of that stuff I never knew about the guy. It just might restore your faith in people one more day.