On Wednesday the future Hall of Fame center, who won 4 NBA championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat, announced his retirement.

While not many people were surprised that the former star was retiring, many people were surprised of the method that he chose to announce his retirement. Shaq, as he is commonly referred to as, decided to announce his retirement via his Twitter account.

While Twitter is commonly used by athletes to vocalize their opinions, most people would have thought that Shaq would have preferred a much larger display when he was to eventually announce his retirement from the leage.

Shaq spen his last season in the leage with the Boston Celtics, but much of his year was spent on the disabled list.

Shaq Retires Through Twitter Account

On Tuesday night Nowitzki and the Mavericks fell a bit short of the Heat and they lost by 8 points. What may be most concerning for Dallas fans is a minor injury to their star power forward.

During the game Nowitzki tore a tendon in his left middle finger. While Nowitzki will not likely miss any games in the series, the injury could definitely affect his play. Nowitzki is considered one of the best ball handling power forwards in the NBA and the injury could definitely hurt his ability to score.

Dirk Nowitzki Is Mavericks Best Chance Of Winning

Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers is in just his second year but players and fans alike had coined the king of the dunkers.

Griffin proved it by winning the 2011 NBA Slam Dunk title with an ending dunk that seen him jump over the hood of a car to throw it down.

Blake Griffin Wins 2011 NBA Slam Dunk Contest

February 24th is the trade deadline in the NBA and with two weeks left until the deadline, there are more signs pointing towards ‘Melo staying right where he is at and that it is with Denver.

Carmelo has told several news outlets that if a team does not step up between now and the deadline with a trade that would benefit all parties that he would be willing to accept terms on a contract extension with the Nuggets.

The last offer that was known from Denver was one for 3 years that would pay Carmelo in access of $64 million dollars.

Carmelo Anthony May Sign Extension

The team already acquired some great pieces like new head coach Avery Johnson and potential superstar small forward Travis Outlaw. Avery Johnson has the best overall winning percentage of any active NBA coach so he knew the Nets would have to rework their roster in order to be successful.

The Nets are currently trying to trade for Nuggets all star Carmelo Anthony. They may have to give up a fair amount of good, young talent in order t get this done.

The Nets are also looking to acquire a quality backup point guard in case Devin Harris happens to work out.

New Jersey Nets Looking To Acquire Talent

The five year prison sentence stems from a 2002 shooting death that involved Williams’s personal limousine driver, Costas “Gus” Christofi. The death of the Christofi occurred outside of Williams’s mansion in Alexandria, VA, but it was ultimately determined that the shooting death was accidental.

Upon sentencing, Williams was extremely apologetic. He stated that he completely regrets his actions and that he hopes comfort comes to those who cared for Christofi. Williams has constantly tried to make amends with the family of his victim. This included a $2.75 million civil lawsuit settlement that Williams paid to the former driver’s family. However, the family of the victim has show little evidence that they have forgiven Williams.

Williams, who is now 42 years old, will have to serve at least 18 months in prison before he is eligible for parole and release.

The guilty plea to this charge for someone with a clean record like Arenas has carries a maximum prison sentence of up to five years. It looks like Arenas could be looking at a six month prison term as a part of a plea agreement.

David Stern, the Commissioner of the National Basketball Association may genuinely a lifetime ban from the NBA as a signal to people around the league that he in no way supports acts of violence or potential acts of violence. Many sportswriters have already written generally that a lifetime ban for Arenas would be far too harsh of a penalty. This type of ban would seriously hamper Gilbert’s future and make it hard for a man who has played basketball his whole life to be able to find work.

This all stems from an incident between Arenas and Wizards reserve point guard Javaris Crittendon showing their guns to one another and allegedly making threatening statements.

The rumor is that the statements were made after a card game gone wrong, but that was never confirmed.

NBA Star Gilbert Arenas Pleads Guilty, Could Get Five Years

Ye Li was also a basketball star on the Chinese national team and at six feet two inches, there is a good chance that the baby will be very tall as well given Yao’s stature as well. Yao sent out a press release thanking fans, family and friends for their support. The Houston Rockets center has been battling foot issues for a number years, but he hopes to get back out there soon in order to continue to support his wife and family.

Yao would also like to give his son the present of an NBA championship ring down the road. The Houston Rockets will be glad to bring Yao’s child into their extended family.

The child will have great role models like Shane Battier to learn from as far as life’s lessons go.

This is assuming that both Yao and Shane stay under contract with the Houston Rockets. The world of professional sports is a business and Yao has his family financially set.

Yao Ming's Wife Expecting First Child

Jennings tweeted too son after a game The fine Jennings received was similar to the one that former Bucks player and current Pistons forward Charlie Vilanueva got last season for using Twitter when team rules apparently prohibited such a thing. The Bucks head coach Scott Skiles was the one who levied the fine against Charlie.

Brandon was simply celebrating a win over the Portland Trail Blazers with his Tweet and many observers could consider to be a silly reason to fine a guy who simply was trying to congratulate his teammates and express his jubilation with their progress. It was a good win over a solid team that is lead by the likes of Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge.

I genuinely have to question at this point whether NBA players should even consider using Twitter or other social networks at all if they run the risk of being fined every time they have such a minor indiscretion. It may be time for David Stern and people within the league office to revisit their Twitter policy.

Brandon Jennings Fined For Using Twitter

According to Artest, “I used to drink Hennessy … at halftime. I (kept it) in my locker. I’d just walk to the liquor store (near the stadium) and get it.”

A former teammate who commented anonymously thinks Artest is just telling tales.

“That’s just Ron being Ron,” one former teammate said in a story posted on the Tribune’s Web site.

The full interview appears in the Dec. 7 issue of The Sporting News.

Artest even saved room for some commentary on NBA referee Joey Crawford, who officiated during two games of the 2009 Western Conference semifinals.

“Joey Crawford basically said, ‘Who cares about the Houston Rockets? Kobe Bryant is on the floor.’”

Aside from hitting the sauce during games, Artest has aspiration of being a boxer.

“I started training two years ago,” he says. “In four years, I’m going to try to have my first fight.”

Ron Artest Says He Drank Hennessy During Games