Shaq Foots Bill for Shaniya's Funeral

(NEWSER) - We're months away from the NBA season, but the scrutiny of the monster pairing of Shaq and LeBron has already begun in earnest. Can the superstars exist in harmony on one team? The Wall Street Journal sniffs out a little trouble, noting that the two haven't exactly acted like best buds since Shaq's trade to Cleveland this summer. "Everyone thinks you have to like each other to win a championship, but that's not true," says O'Neal. "You don't have to go on vacation together." More»

'Marketing giant' heads to sports-mad Boston

(NEWSER) - Shaquille O'Neal will be paid the veteran minimum as a Celtic , but he probably won't have to worry about making ends meet—Boston businesses are already lining up to pitch endorsement deals, reports the Herald . "The minute I heard about him coming, I thought about the idea," says the owner of the serendipitously named Summer Shack restaurants. "It’s a great fit and a great idea." More»

King James has been a boon for downtrodden city

(AP) - Before LeBron James, there were thousands of empty seats for most Cleveland Cavaliers games and downtown was silent after dark. With him, every game is a sellout and nearby bars and restaurants bustle. As they face the possibility of losing the free-agent NBA superstar, residents wonder if the man they call King James might take a little of this struggling city's economy with him. "The kingdom lies where the king resides," says a restaurateur. More»

Cavs star also gives himself a present: a 48-point game

(NEWSER) - It must be nice to be LeBron James. The Cavaliers star turned a vital 25 years old and showed off his youthful vigor by scoring 48 points to beat the Atlanta Hawks yesterday. Then, as is the case with so many 25-year-olds, his friend and teammate Shaquille O’Neal gave him a Rolls Royce Phantom that retails at about $400,000, reports the Cleveland Leader . More»

(NEWSER) - LeBron James is about to get some big help—literally. The Suns and Cavaliers have agreed in principle to a deal to send Shaquille O’Neal to Cleveland in exchange for Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, and the 46th pick in today's draft, multiple team execs tell the Plain Dealer. The trade will save Phoenix around $9 million, or more if Wallace accepts a retirement buyout. More»