GTucker

Austin Rivers (Winter Park, FL), the No. 1 player in the Class of 2011 according to the ESPNU 100, has officially committed to the Duke Blue Devils.

Rivers chose Duke over many other teams, including North Carolina and Kansas.

“He picked Duke because of [Krzyzewski] and his staff,” Bailey said. “There is a ton of tradition at Duke, and it was the best place for him from a basketball and academic standpoint.” Rivers high school coach David Bailey told ESPN.

The timing of the commitment came as a surprise to many fans and experts, as Rivers had a visit set up to the Blue Devils’ rival, North Carolina. However, many expected this would be the college of his choice after he de-committed from Florida University.

Rivers joins fellow ESPNU 100 shooting guard Mike Gbinije as commitments for Coach K and the Blue Devils, and more will come in the future.

It looks like Duke will now challenge the Kentucky Wildcats for the top-ranked spot in the 2011recruiting class.

 

More news and info will be coming me from later in the week.

Checkout RealSportsNet for more info!

RealSportsNet Editor, Garrett Tucker, has just launched the You Pick 'Em Challenge. The contest offers our members a wonderful opportunity win some great prizes.

Prizes

1st Place: 16 GB iPad Wi-Fi (Est. $499)

2nd Place: $100

3rd Place: $50

To find out more about how to place your picks, please go here.


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Make sure to get on it guys! You could be a big winner!

First off, I'd like to thank Nolan Smith for taking his time do this interview with me. It worked out great and it is definitely a must-read!

Nolan Smith will be a senior next season at Duke after he decided to come back to school and get his degree and play alongside teammate Kyle Singler and Coach K.

Despite losing key players, the Blue Devils expect to be at the top come next March, and, hopefully, capture a repeat championship.

Nolan was nice enough to answer 11 questions with me.

Garrett Tucker: To you, what area(s) of your game do you need to work on this offseason to help you not only succeed next year at Duke, but in the NBA as well?

Nolan Smith: This offseason I planned on getting more explosive and finishing stronger around the basket. And also increasing my range on my shot. Outside of that, just tightening up all areas of my game.

Tucker: What is the best thing about playing at Duke?

Smith: The exposure we gain, playing 30 plus TV games, and we get to play for the best coach (Mike Krzyzewski) with the best staff around him.

Tucker: Why do you think Duke should be the No. 1 team in the preseason polls come next fall?

Smith: I really don’t care if we are No. 1 in the preseason polls, because now next year's team has to prove we are the No.1 team at the end of the year, not the beginning. But I will say next year's team will be deep and ready to play.

Tucker: How has Coach K help you achieve what you want to do with your life?

Smith: Coach K has taught me so many life lessons. When I leave Duke University, I will be a better person, with a great mind for learning and competing, which is what life throws at you.

Tucker: What did it feel like to win a National Championship this season?

Smith: It was incredible. It was an amazing feeling and a dream come true. This team worked so hard for this and the best part about it, nobody believed in us, but we believed in ourselves the whole season.

Tucker: What was the biggest factor for you to return to school for another year?

Smith: Kyle Singler and I came in together, so we wanted to leave together. We have a team that can possibly do it again and that excites me. I'd love to pull a back-to-back.

Tucker: The team is losing a great group of seniors. Who will help replace them, according to you?

Smith: Mason and Miles Plumlee will step up and be ready to be our forces in the paint like Zoubs (Brian Zoubek) and Lance (Lance Thomas) were for us this year. As for Jon (Jon Scheyer), we will be loaded at the guard position to help pick up the slack for losing Mr. Scheyer.

Tucker: What is your opinion on underclassmen (especially freshmen) declaring and entering the draft?

Smith: If they are ready, they are ready. Some want a college degree, but some want the money. Can't go wrong with either way.

Tucker: Where do you think LeBron James will be playing come next season?

Smith: He has unfinished business to take care of in Cleveland.

Tucker: Are there any players that you communicate with regularly, whether it be high school, other college, or NBA players?

Smith: Yeah, Mike Beasley, Kevin Durant, Ty Lawson, Juwan Howard, and Stephen Jackson.

Tucker: Is there anything you want to tell the Cameron Crazies to get them excited for next season?

Smith: Get ready for another amazing season!

 

Thanks Nolan! Great interview!

Make sure to follow Nolan Smith on Twitter @NdotSmitty

This article is also featured on Real Sports Net. Follow RSN on Twitter @RealSportsNet

For more info and updates on college basketball, including more interviews, follow Garrett Tucker on Twitter @GTuckersports

As some of you know, I have been pursuing a sports journalism future over the past year or so. I have been writing for an assortment of websites, including Real Sports Net and Swoosh Nation, but none more than Bleacher Report.

With that being said, I wrote something on the basketball recruiting trail in April and today it has been syndicated to the CBSSports College Basketball section on the front page.

Here is a link to the College Basketball page, as well as the actual story on Bleacher Report. Please give it a read and let me know what you think!

CBS Basketball page   (My story is under the picture of Melo on the left. It says Bleacher Report......)

10 Recruits That Could Jump-Start College Basketball Programs

-----------------------------------


Also, I am planning on starting to write again on CBS, bringing over my stuff from the websites I write for, and helping myself and the website as well. I would love to get feedback on things. As long as I get feedback, I will continue to do so.

I have a ton of interviews with all kinds of basketball players, as well as Golf things.

Get ready CBS and friends, I'm coming back!

Throughout the Free Agency Period I will be updating and giving insight on the NBA teams, and more importantly, the players. So bookmark this page and keep up to date with what is happening throughout Free Agency. I will provide links to the important meeting, signings, and anything that happens in the summer of 2010.

Also, please follow this on Real Sports Net , where it is also featured.

Make sure to follow RSN on Twitter @RealSportsNet

Follow me on Twitter @GTuckersports for updates on news of Free Agency throughout the Free Agency period.

Check out the Cleveland Cavalier's "Home" video to LeBron James.

 

July 8

Various reports say that LeBron James will choose the Miami Heat tonight.

Brendan Haywood will return to the Dallas Mavericks, sources say.

Jermaine O'Neal and the Boston Celtics have agreed to a deal, sources say.

July 7

Carlos Boozer has reportedly agreed to a five-year $80 million deal with the Chicago Bulls; he has also tried to reach out to LeBron James to join him.

The Celtics have reportedly agreed to terms with Ray Allen; deal is somewhere around two years and $20 million.

The NBA Salary Cap for next season will be $58 million.

Jermaine O'Neal is leaning towards signing with the Celtics, sources say; however, the Nuggets are among the teams still in the hunt.

From what I've heard from my sources, I'm pretty confident that LeBron James will resign with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

A source says that the ESPN one-hour special on LeBron James and where he will sign WILL NOT be in the Cleveland area.

With the Wade and Bosh news, Brendan Haywood likes Miami, sources say.

Kevin Durant says that he has agreed to a five-year extension with the Thunder.

Various sources say that Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade will both sign with Miami.

Vinny Del Negro has agreed to terms to be the Los Angeles Clippers' new coach.

July 6

LeBron James will make "The Decision" Thursday night on ESPN at 9 EST. Money for advertising and such will towards the Boys and Girls Club, various sources say.

The Knicks have had talks with Carlos Boozer, sources say.

LeBron James creates his highly anticipated Twitter account.

Dwayne Wade postpones a planned meeting with the media.

The Detroit Pistons have signed first-round pick Greg Monroe.

The Boston Celtics have expressed interest in Kwame Brown, sources say.

Reports say that as each day goes by, LeBron James leans more and more towards returning to Cleveland; then again, over the last 24 hours, other sources say he is leaning towards the Knicks.

The Raptors are interested in Travis Outlaw, Linas Kleiza, and Josh Childress at the mid-level exception.

Chris Duhon will be joining the Orlando Magic, sources say. The terms of the contract are somewhere around the likes of four year and $15 million.

The Raptors say they are open to a sign-and-trade with the Cavaliers involving Chris Bosh; despite LeBron's recruiting efforts, Bosh is not interested in going to Cleveland.

A source says that he strongly believes Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh will go to Miami.

July 5

Sources say the Hawks would trade Josh Smith to clear cap space and help bolster their lineup.

Shaquille O'Neal has interest from the Hawks and Celtics.

There are five teams interested in acquiring David Lee via sign and trade: the Jazz, Raptors, Rockets, Warriors, and Timberwolves.

The Celtics are optimistic that they will keep veteran Ray Allen.

Amare Soudemire has agreed to a five-year, $100 million contract with the New York Knicks.

Sources say that Amare Stoudemire and the Knicks are "on the cusp" of completing their deal.

LeBron James makes an appearance at his Nike Skills Camp at Akron; he came in with a Yankees hat on.

The Boston Celtics have signed the 60th pick in the 2008 Draft, Semih Erden; he will play in the team's summer league game today at five o'clock.

LeBron James has been scheduled to star in a movie that is supposed to start being shot this summer, but it has reportedly been put off.

July 4

The Suns continue to shop Leandro Barbosa; the Raptors and Celtics are both potential suitors.

Joe Johnson has agreed to resign with the Hawks.

The Mavericks have targeted Tyson Chandler and Al Jefferson as potential trade targets.

Stoudemire is also reportedly recruiting Carmelo Anthony and Tony Parker to New York City.

Amare Stoudemire and Mike D'Antoni met this morning and according to sources, "the meeting went very well." Stoudemire and the Knicks are to meet Monday and will try to close on a max deal.

Sources say LeBron James will wait until his 3-day Nike Camp concludes in Akron to announce his decision, which ends Wednesday night.

Reports say that Matt Barnes wants to play for the Lakers. However, Barnes claims he hasn't said anything to where he wants to play.

There is reportdely a 3-way deal brewing and should continue to heat up throughout the week. The centerpieces in the deal would be Al Jefferson going to the Warriors, David Lee to the Timberwolves, and Monta Ellis to the Knicks.

 July 3

Reports say that Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks have agreed to a four-year deal that is not worth the max; this now gives the Mavericks room to bring in a hopeful sidekick to Dirk.

Mike Miller meets with the Clippers, but no offer was made.

LeBron James ends his series of meetings today, ending with the Bulls and the Cavaliers.

The Hornets say they will not trade Chris Paul.

The Bulls have concluded their meeting with LeBron James. It lasted around three hours.

One agent says, "LeBron James will return to Cleveland. Byron Scott will get the best of him."

Von Wafer is looking to make a comeback in the NBA; Cavaliers, Spurs, and Rockets are interested.

The Toronto Raptors are losing interest in a Chris Bosh deal, a source says.

The Trail Blazers have shown interest in Roger Mason.

Reports say that the Nets had the best pitch to LeBron James. Looks like the Russian knows what he is doing at this point.

David Lee is reportedly meeting with the Timberwolves today.

Tony Parker wants to play with Amare Stoudemire, sources say; could Parker to the Knicks be back on?

Sources confirm that Dirk Nowitzki has been offered a contract and he could accept in second meeting today.

Sources say that Dwayne Wade's interest in Chicago is "for real" and "There's still hope for LeBron."

Many teams are waiting on Joe Johnson and the details of his contract before making offers to restricted free agent Josh Childress.

James' meeting with the Cavs is expected to last only around 30 minutes; they want to keep it short and sweet.

LeBron James to meet with Cavs at around 11 EST, and Bulls around 2:30 EST.

July 2

The Bulls and Trail Blazers continue to talk of a deal that would send Luol Deng to Portland and Jerryd Bayless and Joe Przybilla to Chicago. This would clear even more cap space for the Bulls.

Amare Stoudemire will fly to New York City tomorrow with his agent, family, and some friends. Stoudemire will have a physical on both his surgically repaired knee and eye and is expected to sign a $95 million dollar deal on Monday.

Dirk Nowitzki has reportedly agreed to the Mavericks' four-year offer; GM Donnie Nelson hopes for him to be a recruiter now.

Bosh met with Bulls tonight at the United Center shortly after a meeting with Wade.

Amare Stoudemire reportedly to receive 5-year/$100 million contract from the Knicks.

Joe Johnson to reconsider options; Knicks and Bulls are favorites

Heat to meet with Wade tomorrow after originally wanting to meet with him next week.

Bulls push Wade to make commitment, but he refuses; he wants more time to think it over.

Bulls get second meeting with Wade tonight.

Chad Ford says sources are telling him Wade is leaning towards the Chicago Bulls.

Chad Ford has confirmed a second meeting between Wade and the Bulls to take place tonight; agent likely to be there.

Steve Blake has agreed to a four-year deal with the Lakers reports say.

Chris Paul has continued to make noise about a trade.

The Suns have reportedly agreed to a four-year contract with Hakim Warrick.

Talks have heated up between Amare Stoudemire and the Knicks, reports say; Bosh is also supposed to meet with the Knicks today.

The Bucks have signed John Salmons to a five-year contract.

Paul Pierce and the Celtics have reportedly agreed to a four-year contract.

A source close to Amare Stoudemire says he and the Phoenix Suns are done;he is now leaning towards signing with the New York Knicks.

July 1

Channing Frye has reportedly agreed to a five-year, $30 million contract with the Phoenix Suns.

The Lakers have offered Mike Miller a preliminary deal. Expect more to come, as Los Angeles is losing Jordan Farmar and they could use another guard.

The Suns are very interested in Hakim Warrick, sources say.

It is reported that wherever they sign, LeBron James and Dwayne Wade will recruit free agent Mike Miller.

The Spurs and Richard Jefferson's agent have discussed a new deal, but nothing has happened yet. Jefferson would love to return to the New York area, but New Jersey is reportedly not interested.

The Boston Celtics have began contract negotiations with Ray Allen.

Heat offer contract proposals to Chris Bosh during meeting, but gets no early commitment.

Forward Amir Johnson has agreed to a five-year contract to stay with the Toronto Raptors. Agent Kevin Bradbury says the deal is for $34 million.

Jazz free agent forward Carlos Boozer has had "great meetings" with the Jazz, Miami Heat, and Chicago Bulls, a NBA source tells Y! Sports.

John Salmons and the Bucks are still working out their deal, but nothing has been agreed to yet. Reported deal is somewhere around five years and $39 million.

The Chris Paul trade talks have began to heat up throughout the day.

It is being reported that the Knicks gave LeBron James two options: One was a five-year max contract worth an estimated $95 million, leaving them with space to offer another max deal to either Joe Johnson, Amar'e Stoudemire or Chris Bosh. The other optionwas to offer James a five-year deal, with a starting base salary of $11.5 million, which would leave room for Johnson and Stoudemire to join James in New York at similar salaries.

The New Jersey Nets reportedly "wowed" LeBron James and associates with their presentation, while the Knicks wasted two and a half hours telling James what he already knew.

Reports say that Phil Jackson will return to the Lakers next season.

The Hawks and Warriors have discussed a trade that would send Marvin Williams to Golden State, according to a source.

Raymond Felton is being sought after mainly by seven teams, including the Heat and Knicks.

Lakers working to keep Derek Fisher; they do not tender Farmar, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Jordan Farmar wants to be a starter; doesn't look like he'll be returning to the Lakers next season.

The Hawks are reportedly shopping Marvin Williams and Mike Bibby to free up some cap space, sources say.

The Knicks are done meeting with LeBron James, a meeting that lasted around two and a half hours to complete.

Rudy Gay is reportedly cancelling meetings with all suitors; word is he has agreed to resign with the Grizzlies for five years and $81.6 million, with the fifth year including a player option.

On a different note, it looks like Eric Bledsoe and Daniel Orton have agreed to deals with their respective teams and have signed contracts.

Amare Stoudemire and the Suns have reportedly broken off talks of a contract renegotiation. It will be a long shot now for the Suns to resign him, according to sources.

Chris Bosh is reportedly about to meet in Chicago with the Bulls. Via his Twitter, Bosh says this is his FIRST meeting.

The New York Knicks have began their meeting with LeBron James; Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni are reportedly among those present.

New Jersey has concluded their meeting with LeBron James, where owner Mikhail Prokorov, part owner Jay-Z, and head coach Avery Johnson were present.

Byron Scott tells the AP he has accepted the position as the Cleveland Cavaliers' head coach.

Darko Milicic has reportedly agreed to a four-year deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

 Dwayne Wade is reportedly in Chicago meeting with the Bulls.

 The Big 6 (Knicks, Nets, Bulls, Clippers,Heat, and Cavs) are taking turns in Ohio trying to convince LeBron James to play for them, a process that will cover days of work.

Drew Gooden reportedly becomes the first free agent to agree to a deal, as he agrees to terms with the Bucks.

The Hawks reportedly have offered Joe Johnson a max-deal, somewhere along the lines of six years and $120 million.

The Thunder are in contract extension talks with Kevin Durant.

Rockets GM Daryl Morey meets with Chris Bosh as soon as the Free Agency Period begins.

 

 I do bracketology for my website, Ya Sports!, a great website where a small community of knowledgable fans share their opinions on sports topics. If you're interested in joining, we'd love to have you so no need to be shy!

 Alright this does not reflect any of tonight's games, so the Villanova/Louisville and Oklahoma/Oklahoma St. game do not count for this.

 My #1 overall seed is Texas. The Play-In Game is Prairie View vs. Long Island, and they will play in the East Region, winner moving on to play #1 Kentucky.

 Here are my #1 Seeds: Texas, Kentucky, Kansas, and Villanova.

Here's the link to the full bracket:

http://sportsmemorabiliagt.webs.com
/apps/forums/topics/show/1903279-gt
ucker-s-bracketology-1-11-10-

Overshadowed by the great players at Kansas, as well as other rookies producing (mainly John Wall), Xavier Henry is putting together a very nice rookie campaign for Bill Self and the Jayhawks. There is no doubt that fellow teammates Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich are very good players, just like John Wall; however, I believe that Henry is a player that has a very nice future ahead of him.

 The Kansas freshman leads the top team in the nation in scoring at 17.2 a game. Few know this, including me, before I did some research. His points come in all sorts of fashions: layups from driving, three point baskets with a hand in his face, and even some assists say some things about how he can produce for himself, as well as others.

 I love Xavier Henry now, and as time goes by, I will like him even more, especially when his NBA career comes. He possesses a chance to be a huge impact player, and in my opinion, a better player than Wall.

 He has an outstanding NBA body, and I'm sure scouts love it. At 6'6, 220, Henry has an ideal body for an NBA shooting guard. Even more impressive, he has the strength to be a small forward at times, but ultimately, he will make his name known as a shooting guard at the next level.

 Xavier Henry has one of the best strokes that I've seen from an incoming freshman in a long time. His high school and short college career has shown how he can shoot with his points and 3 point percentage. As we can all see, he has become accustomed to shooting the ball well; just like a sixth sense.

 Being left handed, he reminds me of Manu Ginobili and a bigger Michael Redd. Henry's fluent shot looks almost identical to the sharp-shooting Bucks guard Redd, while his overall body reminds me more of Ginobili. Both of these NBA stars are great, but I believe Xavier Henry could be even better.

 John Wall could play some at the 2, and that's a big COULD. Henry will be able to play the 2 and the 3. I love versatile guys, and if he can developed better ball handling skills, he could even play some point guard. That's way out there, but definitely not out of the question.

 Maybe the best thing I like about Henry (as well as Wall) is his defense. Most players hate to play defense, but when you watch Henry, it is like he loves it. He causes deflections, gets steals straight up from players, and even gets some blocked shots here and there; that'a a great defensive gamechanger. Despite all that, he is very sound as a defensive player and does most things right. It easily can get better, but I like where he is as of right now.

 One of these days we will finally see the great player that goes by the name of Xavier Henry. When he finally emerges from the shadows of teammates and other popular players, I think we could see this guy as one of the best of recent memory.

---

Here's a better view of the article on Bleacher Report:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/
318011-living-in-the-shadows-xavier
-henry

You always hear the arguments and discussions over who has been the best player over the past couple of seasons.

Sometimes you hear crazy and crude remarks, and you also get the very educated, explanatory decisions.

With my NBA All-Decade team, I hope to give you some good reasons why the players deserve to be where they are.

I have to say, this is one of the more difficult things that I've decided to write about, but who can't take a challenge?

I won't be surprised if there are people out there that side with another player at a certain position, but that will happen. It's all in the taste.

Some people choose to have a bench or a second anf third team, but I have narrowed mine down to one team, which will be my All-Decade Team for the NBA. I will also give honorable mention to other players at the end.

Get ready as we dive back into the early 2000s, as well as just a couple of weeks ago with players. Who made the cut for me this decade? Find out right here!


PG: Steve Nash

The point guard position probably would be the most difficult place for me to choose. There are numerous guys out there that could make a case, but I have to give it to the dime-dropping Steve Nash.

I have to choose Nash due to his team play. He has won seemingly everywhere he has been, whether it was
Dallas or Phoenix. He's learned to play with some of the game's best: Dirk Nowitzki, Amare Stoudemire and Shaq lead a very notable list.

Not only has he become an exciting player over the past decade, he has also made an offense well-known around the NBA. Nash leads the Suns' offense that Mike D'Antoni established early in his coaching career, and who better than Nash to lead a very potenent, high-octane offense?

He's second to Jason Kidd among active players in assists and ninth all-time, plus he's fifth all-time in career 3-point percentage. With those stats and some scoring, Nash won two league MVP awards, and was mentioned for many more.

Nash has put himself up there with some of the best passers ever to play the game: Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Pete Maravich and John Stockton should all be proud of Nash's exceptional play at the point guard position.


SG: Kobe Bryant

Many things can define Kobe Bryant's career this decade. You have the four rings, league and NBA Finals MVPs, two scoring titles and occasional run-ins with the law.

And then there's the people that despise him. Like him or not, everyone has to admit he is probably the best player we've seen this decade. As his career progresses, he will try to solidify himself as one of the best to ever play the game.

Kobe helped the Lakers to win three consecutive NBA Championships from 2000-2002 to begin this decade. The middle of the decade had its ups and downs, but he has turned it on once again to end the decade. Bryant, now
with a whole new cast of Lakers, took home the 2009 NBA Championship, and this season, they are in contention
once again.

It's easy to say that Bryant's game has hardly ever been bad, even if his team wasn't the best. He led the NBA in scoring during the 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons. He even put up a 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors in '06, which ranks second to Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game on the NBA all-time list.

Kobe may not be everyone's favorite, but you have to respect the guy's game. He could easily become one of the Top-5 best of all-time. He's that good. No doubt.


SF: LeBron James

Possibly the most-hyped NBA player ever, Lebron James entered the league (and eventual stardom) in 2003. By 2006, "King" James was on top of the league, exceeding all the high expectations that the fans and experts had tagged to him. As he has progressed from year-to-year(and even-to-game), James has dominated his position more and more.

By the age of 22, the boy that was playing among men was leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to the playoffs, By his fourth year in the league, he was leading his team to the NBA Finals. And of course, last year was the MVP season. He may be a young guy compared to others that had a chance for this position, but there is none more deserving than James.

Despite all these eye-popping seasons and stats, I believe LeBron will eventually be able to call these years his "down years", if there is such for the King.

He has a future that could bring more MVPs and something even more important to him: NBA championship rings.

He has been mentioned with household names such as Jordan, Worthy, Robertson, and Johnson, all of whom will one day welcome LeBron James into the Hall of Fame.

James has a chance to become the best player to ever touch a basketball. By 2020, there may be no argument about who the true best NBA player is; and that could simply be King James.


PF: Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan has been the main piece of what is now a San Antonio Spurs dynasty. The 2000s have brought Duncan a good bit of hardware, ranging from Defensive Player of the Year, to three NBA championships.

The decade couldn't have started any better for Duncan with his first championship and NBA Finals MVP in 1999. By 2002, he captured his first league MVP award, followed by another championship in '03. The Spurs were becoming one of the best teams in the NBA, and eventually being known as a dynasty.

Duncan has played his share of the center position, but in my eyes he is a true power forward, the best ever in fact. He has made a living using the glass on his mid-range jumper, as well as utilizing his prolific passing skills from the post.

All of this, along with more and more outstanding highlights, will be shown when he eventually arrives
in Springfield as one of the best of his time.


C: Shaquille O'Neal

Greatness seems to follow Shaquille O'Neal no matter where he goes. He's played with some of the best: Kobe, Dwayne Wade, Steve Nash and now LeBron.

He has spent four years of the decade on championship teams:three in the Los Angeles sun, and one on the beaches of Miami.

The new millenium began with an MVP season for Shaq, and three consecutive NBA Championships with the Lakers. Unfortunately, all things didn't turn out as expected. If not for the lack of cooperation, the Lakers may have won more championships, possibly a sweep of the decade. It would have been possible.

Shaq met greatness once again when he was shipped to Miami in '04. Along with the young phenomenon, Wade, Shaq grabbed another ring to add to his abundant collection, and the Heat's first ever championship.

Phoenix didn't bring the best for O'Neal. The offense attempted to revolve around him, and the team wasn't made for that. Now, he's looking once again for a ring in Cleveland.

O'Neal was the definition of the double-double in his prime, easily getting 20 points and 10 rebounds each night out.

Shaq has made all the highlight films for the decade, and don't be surprised when you see him as one of the best of all-time.


Honorable Mention:

Here are all the guys that I had in the running for my starting five, in no particular order.

Jason Kidd, Allen Iverson, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Dwayne Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, Tracy McGrady, Carmelo Anthony, and Yao Ming.



You can view my slideshow and a better version of this on Bleacher Report. Here's a link:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/
314353-the-fab-5-of-the-2000s-nba-a
ll-decade-team