LAKERS NOTEBOOK : SHAQ SPORTS WEDDING BAND.Byline: Marc Stein Marc Stein is a sports reporter. He began writing for ESPN.com in 2000 and signed on full-time in 2002 to serve as the site's senior National Basketball Association writer. Daily News Staff Writer In Orlando, Shaquille O'Neal Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal (pronounced "shak-KEEL") (born March 6, 1972 in Newark, New Jersey), frequently referred to simply as Shaq, is an American professional basketball player, generally regarded as one of the most dominant in the National Basketball Association (NBA). could scarcely pull into a 7-Eleven without being trailed by a camera crew. In Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. , Shaq's private life stays private. At least that's how he likes to keep it, which is why O'Neal wouldn't reveal much after being spotted recently with a wedding band on his left ring finger. ``Am I married? No,'' O'Neal said. ``Am I engaged? I'll never tell. ``Just call me father, daddy, provider.'' O'Neal's baby daughter, Taahirah, and his girlfriend and mother of his child, Arnetta, have been in town all season, free from the scrutiny that surely would have hounded them in Orlando. While with the Magic, O'Neal often felt like he couldn't have a hamburger without creating headlines. The controversy that ensued when news of Arnetta's pregnancy became public was one of the biggest factors in his decision to leave. Clearly content now with his ability to blend in Verb 1. blend in - blend or harmonize; "This flavor will blend with those in your dish"; "This sofa won't go with the chairs" blend, go fit, go - be the right size or shape; fit correctly or as desired; "This piece won't fit into the puzzle" with Hollywood's other stars, O'Neal has grown to appreciate the absence of personal questions and the focus on the Lakers' championship aspirations. ``That's the only ring I'm worried about,'' O'Neal said. Shaq support: Although newly acquired Joe Kleine For the journalist, see . Joseph William Kleine (born January 4 1962, in Colorado Springs, Colorado) is a retired American professional basketball player in the NBA. A seven-foot center from the University of Arkansas, Kleine was selected by the Sacramento Kings with the sixth has logged only three minutes "Three Minutes" is the 46th episode of Lost. It is the twenty-second episode of the second season. The episode was directed by Stephen Williams, and written by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz. It first aired on May 17, 2006 on ABC. in three games since coming over from Phoenix with Robert Horry Robert Horry (born August 25, 1970 in Harford County, Maryland) is an American National Basketball Association basketball player. Currently playing for the San Antonio Spurs, Horry is is known for his ability to make clutch shots in big games. in the Cedric Ceballos Cedric Z. Ceballos (born August 2 1969 in Maui, Hawaii) is an American former professional basketball player in the NBA. As a small forward, he played most notably for the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns, later finishing his NBA career with the Dallas Mavericks, Detroit trade, Lakers coach Del Harris expects the 12-year veteran to eventually challenge rookie Travis Knight Travis Knight (born September 13 1974 in Salt Lake City, Utah) is an American former professional basketball player who was selected by the Chicago Bulls in the 1st round (29th overall) of the 1996 NBA Draft. for playing time behind O'Neal and Elden Campbell. ``I like Joe,'' Harris said. ``There's going to be a time he helps us out, I'm sure. He bangs around well, and he's a good passer and a good shooter.'' Harris added that Horry's forthcoming move to the starting lineup in place of Jerome Kersey - a switch that was expected sometime during the seven-game homestand that ends tonight against Golden State - has been considered but not yet finalized. ``We'll just do it when we do it,'' Harris said. Positive outlook: Despite being passed over for a spot in the Rookie Game at All-Star Weekend and then losing his spot in the rotation to Kobe Bryant, reserve point guard Derek Fisher won't pout. He's using the setbacks as motivation, like he did at Arkansas-Little Rock to become the 24th pick in last year's college draft. ``That's been how I've gotten to where I'm at,'' Fisher said. ``I'm used to being overlooked, being the second guy they looked at or whatever. That's the thing that's kept my fire burning.'' Fisher was Nick Van Exel's primary backup until last Sunday, when Harris shifted that responsibility to Bryant. But the Lakers remain high on Fisher, for whom they bypassed Georgetown forward Jerome Williams (Detroit) and North Carolina North Carolina, state in the SE United States. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean (E), South Carolina and Georgia (S), Tennessee (W), and Virginia (N). Facts and Figures Area, 52,586 sq mi (136,198 sq km). Pop. guard Jeff McInnis (Denver) in June. LAKERS vs. GOLDEN STATE Tipoff: 7:30 p.m., Forum. TV/Radio: Fox Sports West; KLAC-AM (570). Lakers (29-12) update: As they complete their longest homestand in 18 years, the Lakers must win to ensure that Sunday's game in Seattle is for first place in the Pacific Division. Furthermore, with a victory, L.A. can finish this seven-game home stretch at 5-2 - one win better than the 4-3 mark it earned in the 1978-79 season, when Jerry West was the coach and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the center. At practice the past two days, even the most banged-up Lakers participated, with Shaquille O'Neal still hampered by sore ankles, Eddie Jones plagued by ankle and back pain and Nick Van Exel Nickey (Nick) Maxwell Van Exel (born November 27 1971 in Kenosha, Wisconsin) is a retired American professional basketball player in the NBA. Van Exel, a 6'1" left-handed point guard, was most well known for his flashy style of play and his ability to hit critical shots during playing with his left thumb taped up. Warriors (16-23) update: With his 46-point outburst Tuesday against Dallas, Latrell Sprewell moved to third in the league in scoring (25.9) behind Michael Jordan and O'Neal, giving his All-Star campaign a major boost. Sprewell and the Lakers' Jones are competing with Sacramento's Mitch Richmond and Houston's Clyde Drexler for what figures to be three roster spots in the West backcourt. Aside from Sprewell and Joe Smith, however, the Warriors have little to celebrate, with Chris Mullin reportedly seeking a trade and point guards B.J. Armstrong and Mark Price unhappy splitting time. CAPTION(S): Box Box: LAKERS vs. GOLDEN STATE (See text) |
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