National Basketball Association on Yahoo! Canada News Photos

An order of nachos is seen on a table at a Taco Bell fast food ...

(Reuters) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:30:00 GMT

(Reuters) - An order of nachos is seen on a table at a Taco Bell fast food restaurant in New York December 7, 2006. REUTERS/Keith Bedford

Shaquille O'Neal, seen here in June 2009, says he wants to play ...

(AFP) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:45:00 GMT

(AFP) - Shaquille O'Neal, seen here in June 2009, says he wants to play another three years in the National Basketball Association and use that time to help Cleveland win a championship and end the city's title drought. Photo:Tom Pennington/AFP

Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert (L) and general manager ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:49:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert (L) and general manager Danny Ferry (C) present new signing Shaquille O'Neal with a snow shovel to help him with the Cleveland weather, during a new conference introducing O'Neal to the media at at the Cavaliers' practice facility in Independence, Ohio July 2, 2009. REUTERS/Aaron Josefczyk (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Shaquille O'Neal is welcomed by children of St. Martin of De ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:43:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Shaquille O'Neal is welcomed by children of St. Martin of De Porres as he arrives to meet Cleveland media during a news conference at the Cleveland Cavaliers' practice facility in Independence, Ohio July 2, 2009. REUTERS/Aaron Josefczyk (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

Shaquille O'Neal (L) speaks next to Cleveland Cavaliers head ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:37:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Shaquille O'Neal (L) speaks next to Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Mike Brown as he is introduced to the Cleveland media during a news conference at the Cavaliers' practice facility in Independence Ohio July 2, 2009. REUTERS/Aaron Josefczyk (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

Shaquille O'Neal speaks at a news conference as he is introduced ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:33:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Shaquille O'Neal speaks at a news conference as he is introduced to the Cleveland media during a news conference at the Cleveland Cavaliers' practice facility in Independence Ohio July 2, 2009. REUTERS/Aaron Josefczyk (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

Shaquille O'Neal holds a Cleveland Cavaliers jersey presented ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:29:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Shaquille O'Neal holds a Cleveland Cavaliers jersey presented to him by two boys as he is introduced to the Cleveland media at the Cavaliers' practice facility in Independence Ohio July 2, 2009. REUTERS/Aaron Josefczyk (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

Shaquille O'Neal (R) jokes with Cleveland Cavaliers general ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:26:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Shaquille O'Neal (R) jokes with Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry as he is introduced to the Cleveland media during a news conference at the Cavaliers' practice facility in Independence Ohio July 2, 2009. REUTERS/Aaron Josefczyk (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

Shaquille O'Neal (L) shakes hands with Cleveland Cavaliers head ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:24:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Shaquille O'Neal (L) shakes hands with Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Mike Brown as he is introduced to the Cleveland media during a news conference at the Cavaliers' practice facility in Independence Ohio July 2, 2009. REUTERS/Aaron Josefczyk (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

Chicago Bulls guard Ben Gordon waits on the court during the ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:40:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Chicago Bulls guard Ben Gordon waits on the court during the second half of Game 7 of their NBA Eastern Conference playoff series against the Boston Celtics in Boston, Massachusetts May 2, 2009. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (24) drives to the basket past ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:18:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (24) drives to the basket past Orlando Magic's Marcin Gortat (13) during Game 5 of their NBA Finals basketball game in Orlando, Florida in this June 14, 2009 file photo. Bryant has opted not to terminate the final two years of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers and is expected to sign a three-year contract extension later this month. REUTERS/Larry W. Smith/Pool

J.R. Smith of the Denver Nuggets reacts to his team's play against ...

(Reuters) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:45:00 GMT

(Reuters) - J.R. Smith of the Denver Nuggets reacts to his team's play against the Los Angeles Lakers during Game 5 of their NBA Western Conference final playoff game in Los Angeles May 27, 2009. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

Kobe Bryant, seen here in June 2009 and who guided the Los Angeles ...

(AFP) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:40:00 GMT

(AFP) - Kobe Bryant, seen here in June 2009 and who guided the Los Angeles Lakers to the NBA championship last month, decided not to nullify the last two years of his contract and will stay with the squad, the Lakers said on Wednesday. Photo:Alberto E. Rodriguez/AFP

Utah Jazz's Carlos Boozer (L) and Mehmet Okur of Turkey react ...

(Reuters) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:24:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Utah Jazz's Carlos Boozer (L) and Mehmet Okur of Turkey react as they look on during their team's play against the San Antonio Spurs in the third quarter during Game 5 of their NBA Western Conference Final playoff basketball series in San Antonio, Texas in this May 30, 2007 file photo. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

Michael Finley, seen here in April 2009, told the San Antonio ...

(AFP) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:56:00 GMT

(AFP) - Michael Finley, seen here in April 2009, told the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday that he will return next season for his 15th NBA campaign and his fifth with the NBA squad. Photo:D. Clarke Evans/AFP

Detroit Pistons head coach Michael Curry watches his team from ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:51:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Detroit Pistons head coach Michael Curry watches his team from the bench during the second half of their NBA basketball game against the Toronto Raptors in Auburn Hills, Michigan January 21, 2009. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook

Houston Rockets center Yao Ming gives a news conference before ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:50:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Houston Rockets center Yao Ming gives a news conference before Game 4 of their NBA Western Conference semi-final basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Houston, Texas, May 10, 2009. REUTERS/Richard Carson

Yao Ming, seen here in February. Chinese superstar center's ...

(AFP) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:53:00 GMT

(AFP) - Yao Ming, seen here in February. Chinese superstar center's broken left foot could be a 'career-threatening' injury, the team doctor for the NBA's Houston Rockets told the Houston Chronicle on Monday. Photo:Jennifer Pottheiser/AFP

Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets gets treatment before a game ...

(AFP) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:53:00 GMT

(AFP) - Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets gets treatment before a game against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2009 NBA Playoffs in Houston, Texas in May 2009. Photo:Bill Baptist/AFP

Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets warms up before a game in April ...

(AFP) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:53:00 GMT

(AFP) - Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets warms up before a game in April 2009. A senior Chinese sports official expressed disbelief following a report that the basketball icon may not play next season and could be facing a career-ending injury. Photo:Rocky Widner/AFP

Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets relaxes before the game against ...

(AFP) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:50:00 GMT

(AFP) - Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets relaxes before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the Toyota Center, in May, in Houston, Texas. Photo:Bill Baptist/AFP

Yao Ming poses for a portrait in February 2009. Chinese superstar ...

(AFP) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:35:00 GMT

(AFP) - Yao Ming poses for a portrait in February 2009. Chinese superstar center Yao Ming's broken left foot could be a 'career-threatening' injury, the team doctor for the NBA's Houston Rockets told the Houston Chronicle on Monday. Photo:Jennifer Pottheiser/AFP

Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets gets treatment before the game ...

(AFP) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:35:00 GMT

(AFP) - Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets gets treatment before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the Toyota Center, in May, in Houston, Texas. Photo:Bill Baptist/AFP

Houston Rockets center Yao Ming walks off the court with his ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:15:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Houston Rockets center Yao Ming walks off the court with his broken left foot in a cast after losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 7 of their NBA Western Conference semi-final basketball playoff game in Los Angeles in this May 17, 2009 file photo. The left foot injury could be severe enough to keep Ming from playing the entire 2009/10 season, according to a Houston Chronicle report quoting Rockets team physicians, on June 29, 2009. REUTERS/Danny Moloshok/Files (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor executes a supersonic flyby over ...

(Reuters) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 01:08:00 GMT

(Reuters) - A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor executes a supersonic flyby over the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in the Gulf of Alaska, in this handout photo taken on June 22, 2009. The John C. Stennis is participating in Northern Edge 2009, a joint exercise focusing on detecting and tracking units at sea, in the air and on land. Picture taken on June 22, 2009. REUTERS/Ronald Dejarnett/U.S. Navy/Handout (UNITED STATES MILITARY SOCIETY TRANSPORT IMAGES OF THE DAY) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

Denver Nuggets NBA player Carmelo Anthony, wearing a Michael ...

(Reuters) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 01:06:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Denver Nuggets NBA player Carmelo Anthony, wearing a Michael Jackson t-shirt, arrives at the BET Awards '09 in Los Angeles June 28, 2009. REUTERS/Phil McCarten (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT SPORT)

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Lebron James accepts the Best Male ...

(Reuters) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:50:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Cleveland Cavaliers forward Lebron James accepts the Best Male Athlete award at the BET Awards '09 in Los Angeles June 28, 2009. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT SPORT)

NBA player Doug Christie and family members Jackie and Chani ...

(Reuters) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:15:00 GMT

(Reuters) - NBA player Doug Christie and family members Jackie and Chani arrive on the red carpet at the BET Awards '09 in Los Angeles June 28, 2009. REUTERS/Phil McCarten (UNITED STATES ENTERTAINMENT SPORT)

Shaquille O'Neal is planning to play in the NBA until he is ...

(AFP) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 03:55:00 GMT

(AFP) - Shaquille O'Neal is planning to play in the NBA until he is 40 and planning to wear his old high school and college jersey number, 33, when playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers next season. Photo:Rocky Widner/AFP

Indiana Pacers are pictured during a game against the Denver ...

(AFP) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:18:00 GMT

(AFP) - Indiana Pacers are pictured during a game against the Denver Nuggets, in March, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Tickets for the first NBA game to be played in Taiwan, amongst both teams, set for October 8, have sold out in just a few days, according to organisers. Photo:Ron Hoskins/AFP

Shaquille O'Neal, seen here playing for the Phoenix Suns, drives ...

(AFP) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:23:00 GMT

(AFP) - Shaquille O'Neal, seen here playing for the Phoenix Suns, drives against the New Orleans Hornets in April 2009 at the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana. O'Neal is planning to play in the NBA until he is 40 and planning to wear his old high school and college jersey number, 33, when playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers next season. Photo:Layne Murdoch/AFP

Toronto Raptors NBA draft pick DeMar DeRozan poses with Raptors ...

(Reuters) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:13:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Toronto Raptors NBA draft pick DeMar DeRozan poses with Raptors General Manager Bryan Colangelo (R) in Toronto June 26, 2009. REUTERS/Mark Blinch (CANADA SPORT BASKETBALL)

Toronto Raptors NBA draft pick DeMar DeRozan speaks to the media ...

(Reuters) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:06:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Toronto Raptors NBA draft pick DeMar DeRozan speaks to the media beside Raptors General Manager Bryan Colangelo (R) in Toronto June 26, 2009. REUTERS/Mark Blinch (CANADA SPORT BASKETBALL)

Toronto Raptors NBA draft pick DeMar DeRozan speaks to the media ...

(Reuters) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:04:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Toronto Raptors NBA draft pick DeMar DeRozan speaks to the media in Toronto June 26, 2009. REUTERS/Mark Blinch (CANADA SPORT BASKETBALL)

The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired 15-time all-star Shaquille ...

(AFP) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:00:00 GMT

(AFP) - The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired 15-time all-star Shaquille O'Neal, pictured in March 2009, in a blockbuster trade with the Phoenix Suns that brings two of the NBA biggest stars together for the first time. Photo:Jed Jacobsohn/AFP

Blake Griffen from the University of Oklahoma adjusts his cap ...

(Reuters) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:43:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Blake Griffen from the University of Oklahoma adjusts his cap after being selected by the Los Angeles Clippers as the first overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft in New York, June 25, 2009. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Blake Griffin speaks with Mark Jones of ESPN after being selected ...

(AFP) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 03:03:00 GMT

(AFP) - Blake Griffin speaks with Mark Jones of ESPN after being selected #1 by the Los Angeles Clippers during the 2009 NBA Draft at the WaMu Theatre at Madison Square Garden, on June 25, in New York City. Photo:Jesse D. Garrabrant/AFP

Jonny Flynn from Syracuse University shakes hands with NBA Commissioner ...

(Reuters) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 02:06:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Jonny Flynn from Syracuse University shakes hands with NBA Commissioner David Stern (L) after being selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves as the sixth overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft in New York, June 25, 2009. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

Blake Griffen from the University of Oklahoma shakes hands with ...

(Reuters) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:58:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Blake Griffen from the University of Oklahoma shakes hands with NBA Commissioner David Stern (L) after being selected by the Los Angeles Clippers as the first overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft in New York, June 25, 2009. REUTERS/Mike Segar (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

Ricky Rubio from Spain sits for a television interview after ...

(Reuters) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:53:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Ricky Rubio from Spain sits for a television interview after being selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves as the fifth overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft in New York, June 25, 2009. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

Jordan Hill of the University of Arizona holds a New York Knicks ...

(Reuters) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:52:00 GMT

(Reuters) - Jordan Hill of the University of Arizona holds a New York Knicks Jersey after being selected by the Knicks as the eighth overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft in New York, June 25, 2009. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)