Heat Players Have French Ties

Many HEAT fans may not know that the HEAT preseason trip to Paris to play the New Jersey Nets as part of the NBA’s 2008 Europe Live presented by EA Sports is a homecoming for several of its players. HEAT swingman Yakhouba Diawara was born in Paris, where he grew up with his parents and three other siblings. His parents, who still reside in the city, migrated to France from Senegal 35 years ago, where he began playing basketball at the age of 16. He started his career with the French team JDA Dijon before attending junior college at Southern Idaho and then transferred to Pepperdine University. He later re-signed with JDA Dijon in 2005 after going undrafted in the NBA.

Warriors Waive Two Players

The Golden State Warriors have waived guard/forward Dion Dowell and center Justin Williams, Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Chris Mullin announced Thursday.

Shaq: I’m the emperor of big men

Shaq is back. Calling himself the still-reigning “emperor of big men,” Shaquille O’Neal may or may not be ready to retire in two years, as speculation has suggested. “You’ll know when I’m gonna retire,” Shaq said. “There’s going to be parties and gifts at the end of the games.” Meanwhile, O’Neal reported to camp at a fit-and-trim 330 pounds (hey, it’s Shaq we’re talking about). Then he began getting himself and rookie center Robin Lopez into game shape. “It gives you a lot of confidence playing against somebody that big every day in practice,” Lopez said. “You know you’re not going to face someone who knows as much about the game as he does.” Power forward Amare Stoudemire can relate. “What I noticed about playing with Shaq last year was that he is a real center,” Stoudemire said, “and I was not.”

Brand Hoping to Rekindle Sixers-Celtics Rivalry

On ESPN.COM, Chris Sheridan writes “so many Eastern Conference rivalries have come and gone in the intervening 25 or so years, but the bitter feelings have lingered in the hearts and minds of Philly fans. Each of those fans had the same type of issue: lingering animosity, Elton Brand said. ‘Absolutely, absolutely. And not just basketball, but baseball, football. And we haven’t won one in 25 years, while Boston got them in football, baseball, basketball. So our fans, they’re starving for it. And a legit [Celtics-76ers rivalry] would be great for the league, kind of like Lakers-Boston.’”