Shaquille O’Neal had some interesting things to say about basketball and what he thinks would have happened if he played with LeBron James long enough, from Tzvi Twersky of SLAM Online: “SLAM: How are you enjoying your post-playing life? Shaq: People ask me, Do I miss basketball? F— no. I don’t miss it at all. SLAM: Did you leave the game with any regrets? Shaq: My only regret is that I missed 350 games and I missed 5000 free throws. I could be at No. 2 in scoring right now. SLAM: People always focus on your Orlando and L.A. years, but of all the teams you played on which did you enjoy the most? Shaq: (Pause) L.A., because I made a name for myself. Miami was really good place, too. But after that, it was pretty much over for me. SLAM: You had the chance to play with Kobe Bryant in his prime, Dwyane Wade in his prime, LeBron James in his prime. Any preference? Shaq: It’s different. They’re all great players. Kobe will probably always have the advantage because he has five rings, but they’re all great players. I think it would be unfair to say this one was this, this one was that. They’re all different, and I was just fortunate to have guys who were really, really great. Me and Bron didn’t play together long enough. I think if we would’ve played two or three years, we probably would’ve gotten a ring.”
Larry Brown explained what the Boston Celtics have to do to put Brad Stevens in the best position to succeed, via Kurt Helin of ProBasketballTalk: “Now here’s the challenge for Boston,” Brown said. “It’s really vital they put people around Brad who are there to help him grow, who don’t feel they should be the head coach. I always get confused when they hire these head coaches or ex-players players and say, ‘We have to get an older guy next to them to help them. I always thought that was ass backwards. Brad’s done practice plans. He’s broken down films. He’s started from the very bottom. He knows how to coach. So now the challenge for [Celtics GM] Danny [Ainge] is to surround Brad with guys who only care about making sure Brad Stevens is the greatest coach he can be.”
The New York Knicks officially acquired Andrea Bargnani via sign-and-trade, from Jared Zwerling of ESPN New York: “Andrea Bargnani is officially a New York Knick. On Wednesday, GM Glen Grunwald announced that the team acquired Bargnani from Toronto for Marcus Camby, Steve Novak, Quentin Richardson (via a sign-and-trade), a first-round pick in 2016 and second-round selections in 2014 and 2017. The transaction was finalized on July 2, but it couldn’t be made official until Wednesday, when the NBA’s moratorium on free-agent signings and trades was lifted. “Seven-foot versatile players with a good midrange offensive game and an ability to stretch the other team’s defense are hard to come by in this league,” Grunwald said in a statement. “Andrea has proven to be a quality scorer who adds another dimension to our team. We are excited to add him to our frontline.”
- The Sacramento Kings have a new team president, according to Sam Amick of USA Today:
Chris Granger, Executive Vice President, Team Marketing and Business Operations for the NBA, has accepted job as Kings team president.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 10, 2013
- Jeff Teague plans on signing a deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, according to Woj:
Restricted free agent guard Jeff Teague plans to sign a four-year, $32 million-plus offer sheet with Milwaukee, league sources tell Y!
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 11, 2013
- The Charlotte Bobcats will look to deal Gerald Henderson, according to Woj:
After reaching an impasse with RFA Gerald Henderson, Charlotte’s exploring sign-and-trade possibilities with multiple teams, sources tell Y!
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 11, 2013
- Lamar Odom apparently got fed up with the paparazzi:
- Here’s a sweet clip of the Amazing Spiderman (AKA The Professor) schooling some random people: