Just when you though Shaquille O’ Neal would end up playing without a team for the coming NBA season, the Boston Celtics suddenly show some interest. In fact, sources say the deal is close to being finalized.
If so, Shaquille O’ Neal will take on a reserve role. With a lineup that already has stars like Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen and new acquisition Jermaine O’ Neal, Shaq will join a team raring to get back after falling to the Los Angeles Lakers last season.
At 38, this may be O’ Neal’s final chance to land an NBA team and continue playing. Pride will have to take a backseat and perhaps aside from being able to play, all that Shaq can cheer about is potentially another NBA championship ring (before he does decide to retire).
Nothing is official yet but if you check out the lineup, it is certainly no pushover. However, the age factor is in question and may be something that should take its toll especially if injuries are to be considered.
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By now most of you have heard of the tragic death of former NBA player Lorenzen Wright. After being filed missing, the former basketball star was found lifeless after being shot in Memphis, Tennessee.
Wright is 34 and was filed missing last week, Wright was last seen on July 18.
Wright leaves behind six children, his mother Deborah Marion, and father Herb Wright, who coached his son from a wheelchair after he was shot in the spine. Lorenzen Wright’s 11-month-old daughter, Sierra, died in March 2003 of sudden infant death syndrome.
Players close to Wright are mourning his demise. Lorenzen Wright played for the Atlanta Hawks and the Memphis Grizzlies. Wright, of Memphis, played for the Grizzlies from 2001-2006 during his 13-year NBA career.
A public memorial will be held in Wright’s honor Wednesday at FedExForum in Memphis.
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Tracy McGrady is not yet a Chicago Bull. At least for the time being as Chicago peeps continue to study the 7 time NBA All Star. Contrary to reports that McGrady’s inclusion in the Bulls lineup is a done deal, it seems that unless he proves he is fit to play the entire season and take on a role-player position, the deal is “unlikely”.
McGrady is coming off a stint with the New York Knicks where we was part of a three-way trade. He played only 30 games last season thanks mainly to a microfracture surgery on his left knee.
He averaged only 9.4 points, 3.9 assists and 26.1 minutes, low numbers for the 31 year old who has yet to finish an NBA season injury-free.
The Bulls already have Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, Ronnie Brewer, CJ Watson and Kurt Thomas to play alongside Derrick Rose and surely, adding McGrady would account for quite a team. Unfortunately, health and money issues are in the way so McGrady remains a free agent with risks at this point.
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Matt Barnes is the newest Los Angeles Laker, further honing up the front line and adding more muscle and “bad boys” to its roster. Already with tempermental Ron Artest, the Lakers now add Barnes who ironically had some run-ins with Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom last season.
Perhaps known more as the player who jawed with Bryant and the recipient of being called a “monkey” by Odom, coach Phil Jackson intends to make the desire and energy of Barnes to good use by toughening up its defense.
Odom has said that it was all in the past and now is a new day with the entry of Barnes who last played with the Orlando Magic.
Matt Barnes now joins Steve Blake and veteran Theo Ratliff at Los Angeles where the defending champs are quietly rebuilding for another title-run or a three-peat.
There is a big possibility that Shaquille O’ Neal may not be around for the 2010-2011 NBA Season. While many expected him to be headed to Atlanta, it looks like the deal went down the drain.
The reason for it was said to be about money. O’ Neal was asking about $5.8 million to play for the Hawks, numbers that may very well be negated because of his age. Shaq is now 38.
And the same holds true for other teams like Boston, Dallas and San Antonio who aren’t prepared to pay so much for an NBA superstar at the crossroads of his career.
Unless Shaquille O’ Neal learns that he is not worth how much he is thinking, he stands to end up without a team and possibly forced into retirement.
Shaquille O’ Neal has earned over $290 million over the course of his career and hopefully he has set aside part of those earnings as his NBA career seems to be nearing a close.
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