Around the NBA


What's that? Could there be a chink in Shaquille O'Neal's armor?
The 35-year-old Miami Heat center recently admitted that his age has finally caught up with him and it's become harder to do some of the things that have made him one of the greatest centers of all-time.

''You have to accept it,'' he said. ''The early 30s, you don't have to. But the mid-30s, you have to. You have to. I've lost half a step, half an inch in vertical leap. It takes me much longer to recover from knick-knack injuries. It's just age. It happens to the best of 'em.
''I'm still invincible. But I'm a realist. I'm jump hook, finger-roll now. I've become pass-first sometimes. I'm not as quick on the jump as I used to be. A lot of times, I'd get it and just bounce back up. Now I have to get deep before I get back up with my knees.''

Don't expect to see him riding off into the sunset anytime soon, though. O'Neal said as long as the Heat still want him around, he plans to honor the remaining three years on his $20 million-a-year contract.

''I think I can find a way to contribute,'' he said. ''And if I can't find a way to contribute and they find someone else to contribute, then I'll back that person up at 38. It'll just be something I have to accept.''

Kobe Bryant and the rookie

At times, Kobe Bryant may get a little frustrated with some of his young, underachieving Los Angeles Lakers teammates. But there is one youngster in particular that Kobe Bryant has become quite fond of -- rookie point guard Jordan Farmar.

Jordan Farmar has impressed Kobe Bryant with his tenacity and fearless approach to the game, reminding him of himself when he first joined the Los Angeles Lakers.

''He's got a little chip to him,'' Kobe Bryant said. ''Feisty. I like that about him. He doesn't back down from anybody. That kid does not care. I don't know how to put it to you. It doesn't faze him at all. If anything, he's excited about the opportunity to go up against (two-time MVP Steve Nash). He's ready to go.''

You can't go home again

Vince Carter wanted so bad to go into Toronto's Air Canada Centre and have two of the best games of his career. Instead, Carter flopped, as he usually has when he returns to play against his former team in the city that now despises him.

Although the Nets were able to come away with a split in their first two games in Toronto, Carter made just 13-of-43 shots (30 percent) in the two games, combining for 35 points. This season, he is 22-of-75 (29 percent) in Toronto.

Carter maintains it has nothing to do with the crowd.

''I'm still aggressive, still confident, still going to play my same game until the end,'' he said. ''I'm not going to worry about my shot going in. If I remain aggressive, I'll play my way out of it.''

Give Toronto fans credit for being creative in showing they appreciate Carter's forced trade from the Raptors. Here's a sampling of the signs that were present:

''Wince Vanity Is Over.'' ''Half Man ... Half Woman.'' ''I'm parked in your mother's executive spot.''

Gotta be the shoes?

LeBron James wore his new Nike ''Zoom Soldier'' shoes in Game 1 of Cleveland's series against Washington and subsequently sprained his ankle. Proving that he didn't think it was the shoes that caused his injury, James wore them again in Game 2 and had no further issues.

James was later asked if he would consider wearing another shoe like adidas. He responded, ''If I had adidas, I probably would've broken my ankle.''

Retro ad

Speaking of James, remember those McDonald's commercials from back in the day featuring Michael Jordan and Larry Bird trying to match each other's shots, essentially playing an unrealistic version of H-O-R-S-E?

Well, apparently McDonald's is about to bring back the popular ''Nothin' But Net'' commercials, this time featuring James and Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade. Stay tuned.

In demand

On the heels of leading Toronto to its first Atlantic Division title and winning Coach of the Year honors, it looks like Raptors coach Sam Mitchell is the league's hottest commodity. Mitchell, who has yet to sign an extension with Toronto, has had his name surface for vacancies in Indiana and Charlotte.

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