A couple days ago we told you about the NBA fining the Celtics’ Shaquille O’Neal $35K for his comments about the officiating following the C’s loss to the Orlando Magic on Christmas Day. Well I guess Shaq hadn’t gotten the memo about the fine before Comcast Sportsnet had a chance to get his reaction to the fine.

Shaq’s reaction to the reporter’s question may surprise you a bit. Then again, if you’re familiar with the comedic stylings of O’Neal you may not be surprised at all:

NBA.com reported today that the Washington Wizards were close to a deal with the Orlando Magic that would see the two teams swap Gilbert Arenas for Rashard Lewis. We are now hearing that the deal is done and the trade will go through as originally described.

It shouldn’t be a shock that the Wizards would want to move Arenas after all of the headaches off the court he provided the team with. Between his gunplay incident in the locker room, pooping in a teammates shoe, faking a knee injury, etc., some in D.C. will welcome his departure more than others. It is even less of a surprise when you consider the fact that the Wizards are putting all of their eggs in the #1 draft pick, John Wall, basket to run the point. As for the Magic, Lewis’ minutes and points per game this season have dipped dramatically.

The deal would rid the Wizards of one of their biggest public relations headaches in years. While Arenas helped Washington make the playoffs for the first time in a decade and became an All-Star playing alongside Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison, his infamous suspension for bringing guns into the Verizon Center locker room last December as part of a prank and/or confrontation with then-teammate Javaris Crittenton cast a shadow over the franchise.

Arenas was suspended by Commissioner David Stern for the final 50 games of last season and served time in a halfway house in the D.C. suburbs after pleading guilty to one felony count of carrying a pistol without a license.
Arenas returned to the Wizards this season and has played reasonably well, averaging 17.3 points and 5.6 assists for Washington. He would give Orlando someone who can create for himself and others off the dribble, something the Magic have sorely lacked this season as they has struggled at times against the league’s better teams. And Arenas’ close relationship with Orlando GM Otis Smith, who mentored Arenas while the two were in Golden State, has been well-documented.

Lewis is averaging his lowest point total in a decade for Orlando this season, scoring just 12.2 points a night on 41 percent shooting from the floor. He has struggled at times making the adjustment to playing more small forward this season than he has for the Magic; he thrived as a “stretch four” power forward playing next to center Dwight Howard in previous seasons, but the Magic has opted to give emerging forward Brandon Bass more minutes at that position this season. (via)

I’m interested to see how Arenas will respond to being traded, as he seems to be just going through the motions this season without any fire or passion for the game in which he used to display. The Magic’s J.J. Redick has been playing well at the guard spot with the intermittent absences of Jameer Nelson and Vince Carter, but the Magic will certainly welcome the extra help in the backcourt.

The Magic are certainly hoping that a change of scenery may also provide some second wind for Rashard Lewis’ career as he can be a game changer in the right system.

**Update** - The Magic have made a second blockbuster trade today with the Phoenix Suns that will further shake up their roster. Read the details here.

Courtesy of Sports by Brooks we got to hear an appearance by Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-wife Shaunie last week on the radio show Big Boy’s Neighborhood talk about how many NBA players cheat on their wives. Of all the players Shaunie knows personally the only one she can think of that she is sure hasn’t cheated on their wife is Grant Hill. I doubt it would surprise anyone that Grant Hill would be named as least likely to cheat, given the ‘good guy’ image he has had for years throughout his career. But what did surprise me was the joy with which Shaunie was outing people.

Does anyone else watching this think she should ‘mind her own business’? Looks to me like Shaunie is more than a little jaded. Oh, and anyone catch the eye roll at the end when she is asked about Dwyane Wade?:

Late last week we told you that Antoine Walker was being sued by some random dude for stealing his fiancée. And I think we all are well aware of Walker’s financial troubles stemming from gambling addiction since retiring from the NBA in 2008. So what does a retired NBA player do in the face of bankruptcy and legal troubles?

Well, they come out of retirement and try to make an NBA comeback of course. But will there be any takers? For some former All-stars it may not be that much of a stretch, but for Walker who can be considered almost as cancerous to a team’s chemistry as Allen Iverson, not many NBA clubs are willing to take a gamble on such a volume shooter. In the same light as a Rasheed Wallace, Walker has tremendous upside as a post player given his footwork and post skills, however like Wallace spends far too much time hanging around the perimeter looking to be a long range bomber.

Walker did get a tryout for the Charlotte Bobcats this year at pre-season training camp, but he didn’t make the squad.

So now what?

Apparently the Idaho Stampede of the NBA Development League is willing to take a gamble (no pun intended) on Antoine Walker. But at 34 years of age can he make that jump from the D-League back into the pro’s? Not too likely, and if he did his contract would surely not be big enough to get him out of the $12 million hole he currently finds himself in. Ah well, it should be entertaining to watch. Plus, he and the Idaho Stampede have something in common. They are both struggling financially:

Former NBA All-Star Antoine Walker is expected to be assigned to the Idaho Stampede on Tuesday. The Stampede have called an afternoon press conference to introduce Walker.

Walker, 34, played 12 seasons in the NBA, most notably with the Boston Celtics, and made three All-Star appearances. Walker averaged 17.5 points and 7.7 rebounds with Boston, Atlanta, Miami and Minnesota after being the No. 6 overall pick out of Kentucky in 1996.

Walker has not played in the NBA since being waived by Minnesota in 2008.

Plagued by financial and legal trouble in recent years, Walker is attempting to get back into the NBA. In 2009, he was charged with three felonies for writing bad checks at Las Vegas casinos totaling nearly $800,000. Walker filed bankruptcy earlier this year with more than $12.7 million in debts.

Walker practiced with Charlotte earlier this year, but did not earn an invitation to training camp. He signed with the NBA Development League on Friday after passing a background check. (Via)

Photo Courtesy of Bob Bwell

What is the longest basketball game you have ever seen? I can’t remember any i’ve watched going more than 3 or 4 overtime sessions at most. So to hear this morning about this NCAA Division III men’s basketball game last night between Skidmore and South Vermont that went into 7 overtimes, I thought it must have been a misprint.

Given the fact that you have a limited number of players suited up on both teams, and couple that with the fact that players can foul out, or simply pass out from sheer exhaustion, it is amazing to even technically go 7 overtimes without having to default first.

Skidmore ended up outlasting Southern Vermont 128-123 in the historic game last night, which by the way was the longest game ever played at the men’s Division III level. The game also tied the Division I record game between Cincinnati and Bradley that went seven overtimes on Dec. 21, 1981. Black Hills beat Yankton in seven OTs on Feb. 18, 1956, for the Division II record.

“By the end,” Skidmore coach Joe Burke told The Associated Press in a telephone interview, “it was complete exhaustion.”

The game was tied at 59 after regulation, and both teams were just getting started. The previous Division III longevity mark had been five overtimes, something that had happened four times according to NCAA records.

“We always talk about toughness,” Burke said. “And tonight was just a battle of toughness. I told my kids, ‘Enjoy it – because you’ll never be part of anything like it again.’ They’ll be telling their kids and grandkids about this.”

Southern Vermont’s Lance Spratling played all 75 minutes, one of several records the teams set.

“He’s an incredible athlete,” Burke said. “He still had some pop in his step at the end. Unbelievable.”

The teams combined for 166 rebounds, 42 more than in any other Division III game in history and an NCAA all-division record – besting the 152 set by Indiana and Michigan in 1961.

“It’s hard to describe,” Burke said. “The kids, honestly, I know it’s the old cliche that no one should lose a game like this, but these kids didn’t quit on either side.” (via NBC Sports)

Meet Satnam Singh Bhamara of India. He’s not your average 14 year-old as he stands over 7 feet tall. He was always fairly tall for his age but grew an absolutely ridiculous 15 inches between the ages of 10 and 14. The unimaginable height is in his genes, as his father Balbir Singh Bhamara, stands a whopping 7 foot 2 inches tall and his grandmother is 6 foot 9 inches tall.

Amazing, right? Think of the potential with that kind of height, especially if this guy continues to grow and develop his co-ordination and skill set. The combination of height and love for the game this guy is displaying at only 14 years old is already having some bloggers comparing him to a young and hyped up Yao Ming out of China.

But he’s not just relying on his height to cruise by in his basketball leagues. He’s working hard to develop his skill set and learn everything he can about the game. Hoopistani has been tracking his progress and development.

“After blazing his way through the Punjab inter-school and junior leagues, Satnam began to collect his international credentials. He represented Indian in the FIBA Asia U16 Championships at Malaysia in November 2009. Back home, he took Punjab to the gold medal of the National Youth Championships at Trichy (Tamil Nadu) in June.” [via]

AOL Fanhouse writer Tim Potvak has some great insight into how a 14 year old kid from a tiny farming community on the outskirts of Pakistan came to know about the sport of basketball, let alone get involved in playing at an organized level:

“Then his father (7’2″ tall) told him a story, a sad story about long-ago missed opportunity, about a game he knew and loved but never was allowed to play, a game he quietly wanted his son to try, offering a window to a whole different world.

There were no basketball courts in his village to play on, no cable television to deliver the games, so his father sent him away, where others could teach him to play, quickly discovering he had an incredible gift, an athleticism very unusual for someone growing so fast and so large, leading him down the path he walks today.”

North American scouts and coaches that have seen this kid play have had nothing but great things to say about him, many of them noting his excellent work ethic. Some even theorize that it is Satnam’s farming upbringing that has set him up to succeed, as he has learned from a young age the value of hard work and preparation.

This giant has size 22 feet, loves what limited NBA action he has seen on television, has chosen Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and Dwight Howard as his favorite players, and loves his Nike Basketball shoes from “Ameeka”, as he puts it.

Could Satnam be the first player from India on an NBA roster in the history of the league? Everyone in India is pulling for him. They are hoping that he will do for India Basketball what Yao Ming did for China Basketball just a short time ago.

I guess we will all just have to wait and see…after all he is only 14.

For anyone that hasn’t had the pleasure of watching the Milwaukee Bucks play so far this year, Brandon Jennings is still flashy and taking risks, yet surprisingly effective. Oh yeah, and the second half of what I believe to be one of the league’s best duo’s for year’s to come, Andrew Bogut, is back from his gruesome arm injury. Were you skeptical about whether or not Bogut would ever make a full recovery? Then you need to watch this sequence from last night’s Bucks-Knicks game:

Orlando Magic’s back up big man Marcin Gortat had some choice words for residents of the Big Apple about the cleanliness of their city. The Orlando Magic are set to play the New York Knicks in NY on Tuesday night, and Marcin Gortat hopes his stay will be quite short as he can’t stand the smell of the city. I have a strong suspicion Knicks fans won’t be welcoming Gortat and the Magic with open arms this trip after these public statements today:

NEW YORK, NEW YUCK: Gortat apparently isn’t concerned with making any friends during his stay in the Big Apple. The Magic bigman said he loves the city, but that the trip to New York is one he still makes with mixed emotions.

“The only thing I remember from New York is – it’s sad – but it’s terribly dirty and it smells bad too,” Gortat said. “I know New York fans will hate me probably [for saying that] … It’s an incredible city, great city, great fans, a lot of fans, a lot of famous people … but one of the memories I’ve got is it’s a dirty place and it smells bad.”

If things go Gortat’s way, he and his teammates will be able to mask the stench with the smell of victory when they leave Madison Square Garden.

And Gortat better be careful with his words, because these aren’t the same New York Knicks of old. I’m not sure you want to give an opposing big like Amare Stoudemire the motivation to defend his new home and fans.

Highlight mixes of NBA players have become a fine art on YouTube and basketball blogs across the interwebs over the last few years. And if you’re talking about some of the best of the best at this art, you can’t ignore the skills of Meir Erginbas or better known as “Meir21″ on YouTube. The Hoop Doctors are happy to announce to our readers that Meir will be joining The Hoop Doctors team this season to showcase his mixes on a weekly basis. But for now, all you Lakers fans, sit back and enjoy what we consider to be possibly the greatest Kobe Bryant highlight mix of all time (not including his off court viral vids). It is a mix focused on Kobe’s run for his 5th ring in the 2009-10 season….

Stephon Marbury has been one one crazy character in the NBA for a long time. He is a media darling and a PR nightmare all at the same time due to his antics and odd off the court behaviour. But he’s in China now, trying to salvage what’s left of his playing days. And from what we have seen and heard he’s not doing too bad on the court. Financially on the other hand….

But Marbury must be getting a bit lonely on the other side of the world because if you follow his twitter account you’ll see he first wanted Iverson to join him in China to ‘make history’….

But he also wants all the rest of the NBA stars to keep an open mind to the Chinese league when the lockout comes. Oh and by the way, Marbury is ‘callin’ it before it happens’, so take it to the bank folks the lockout is obviously a done deal….

Just over a week ago we told you about the rumor that Shaquille O’Neal got engaged to his new girlfriend Nikki ‘Hoopz’ Alexander. Well it looks like he is on the prowl for wedding tips, because the big fella recently crashed a wedding in Boston at the Four Seasons Hotel. Can you imagine one of the biggest, friendliest giants, to ever grace a basketball court shows up unannounced at your wedding reception?

On Friday, Aug. 27, that’s just what happened as Shaq wandered into the wedding ceremony of Kristen and Wes Schifone at the Four Seasons in downtown Boston, much to the delight of the newlyweds. Shaq didn’t show off his epic moves on the dance floor, nor did he spit out some serious rhymes with the band, but it was a memorable visit to say the least.

“Considering it was someone of his stature, he was a total gentleman and just acted like one of the guys,” the groom said from his Hawaiian honeymoon. “He accepted everyone’s photo request and even remembered our names the next day and asked that we come down for a photo shoot with him for the [Boston] Globe.”

Shaq has been all over Boston lately since he signed with the Celtics….

Photos of Shaq with the bride, groom, and bridesmaids after the jump:

I could not believe my eyes when I read the headlines from the New York Times this afternoon reporting on the FIBA World Championship game between Team USA and Iran. Cheerleaders being told to cover up? Doesn’t that sort of defeat the purpose of the cheerleaders?

Cheerleaders donned black leggings and white T-shirts for a World Championship basketball match between Iran and the United States in Istanbul on Wednesday to respect cultural sensitivities.

Some Iranian officials still left the arena shortly before their routine began, however. At previous matches officials had stood up and turned their backs.

Cheerleaders were missing altogether from Turkey’s last two matches in Ankara, raising eyebrows in the overwhelmingly Muslim but officially secular nation, particularly as scantily-clad cheerleaders had been present at other matches.

Patrick Baumann, secretary-general of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), said “special arrangements” had been made with the dancers’ dress on Wednesday.

“We want entertainment to be part of the basketball game. If it needs a little bit of adjustment that is fine with us,” he told a news conference.

“It is a balance between respecting the culture and making sure basketball delivers all the pace, excitement and entertainment that goes with the World Championship.” {via NY Times}

Last I checked the cheerleaders at these world events weren’t gymnasts doing back flips and such like in the movies. Instead of ‘Bring it On’, it’s more like ‘Let’s Get it On’. These girls are basically dancers who look good in short skirts and tight tops for the fans entertainment. If Iranian officials or FIBA or whomever has a problem with cheerleaders, than just leave the arena or keep turning your backs, but please don’t take it out on the fans by asking them to cover up. Serenity now….

Whenever Shaquille O’Neal signs with a new team (which is more and more frequent these days) he likes to make a splash when he shows up for work. Although a bit more low key than we are used to seeing the diesel (maybe because of his apparent engagement), it is still entertaining to watch the big fella interact with his new fans in Boston. Check it out:

For those of you not aware, the Boost Mobile Elite 24 will be hosted at Los Angeles’ Venice Beach Friday and Saturday, August 27 and 28th. Not only is the best high school talent hanging around to watch the action, but many NBA stars will certainly be in the house for the event. NBA talent Brandon Jennings and John Wall were in the house last night for a midnight run at HAX with the high school stars. The Hoop Doctors Kevin Burke will be interviewing Brandon Jennings later today from the event, which we will run in the next day or two along with highlights from the Elite 24 game. But in the meantime check out this disgusting alley-oop that John Wall crushed from a sick Jennings pass. It will make you wish Young Money was playing for the Wiz next year…

[H/T to Slam Online for the Video]

Today the GM of the Charlotte Bobcats announced the official signing of free agent big man Kwame Brown. Yes, that’s right folks. That means Michael Jordan who drafted Brown with the #1 overall pick 2001 when he was the Director of Basketball Operations for the Wizards (which many consider to be the worst draft decision of all time), will once again be taking a chance on Kwame Brown by bringing him back into the fold. Here are the details:

Charlotte Bobcats General Manager Rod Higgins announced today that the team has signed free agent center Kwame Brown. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. Several media outlets reported that the deal would be for one-year and the league minimum.

The 6-11 Brown will enter his 10th NBA season, with career averages of 6.7 points and 5.4 rebounds in 22.0 minutes over 510 games (217 starts) with Washington, the L.A. Lakers, Memphis and Detroit. In 18 career playoff games (12 starts), Brown averaged 8.7 points and 5.8 rebounds. Last season with the Pistons, Brown appeared in 48 games and averaged 3.3 points and 3.7 rebounds in 16.0 minutes. {via}

This whole signing makes me wonder about one thing. It’s silly. Really silly……will Michael Jordan come out of retirement to play for the Bobcats if Brown doesn’t perform well?

I am completely joking obviously, but it does make you think, if Jordan hated to watch Brown falter to the point of coming out of retirement when he was only the Director of Basketball Operations, how bad will he want to come out of retirement when he’s the one actually signing Kwame Brown’s pay check every month? Hmm….food for thought.