In the News

Shaq joins Turner Sports as analyst (AP)
Shaquille O'Neal has agreed to a multiyear deal with Turner Sports to become an analyst on its NBA coverage. O'Neal, who retired last month, will join TNT's studio show with Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson. He also will contribute to NBA TV and NBA.com. The agreement announced Thursday includes a development deal with Turner's entertainment and animation networks.

TNT studio team set to announce game (AP)
TNT's NBA studio team of Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith will announce a game together for the first time since 2001. The trio will call the game Thursday in Chicago between the Miami Heat and Bulls. It's the first time they've gone on the road in the regular season since a trip to New Orleans in 2006 following Hurricane Katrina.

Charles Barkley wants to be NBA GM (AP)
Charles Barkley thinks he can do better than some of the general managers he criticizes on TV. The Hall of Fame player and TNT analyst said Monday he'd like his chance to run an NBA team, though he's in no rush because he'd want the right job. "I think that it'd be fun to try to build my own team," Barkley said at a luncheon, joined by studio partners Kenny Smith and Ernie...

D-Wade on Star Jones: We're just friends
Dwyane Wade has finally spoken up about his alleged romance with Star Jones: "Star is an unbelievable woman. We have a great, great relationship. As friends." "We're friends, just like a lot of celebrities. We are friends," the pro basketball star said Thursday during a guest appearance on "Inside the NBA," the jocular TNT show featuring Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson. "Are y'all close friends?" Smith asked. "We're good friends," Wade responded.