Dr. Jerry Buss Offered Shaq 2 Years For $45 Million

Dr. Jerry Buss, owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, said in a rare interview that he regrets the anger Shaquille O'Neal expressed after being traded to the Miami Heat.

"I have not spoken to him," Buss said before Sunday night's game against the New Orleans Hornets. "I did call his agent and asked if we could have lunch before he left town. I plan on doing that again."

O'Neal has repeatedly expressed anger at the Lakers, general manager Mitch Kupchak and Kobe Bryant since being traded to the Miami Heat in July.

"Right now, his statements indicate he's not in a very good mood," Buss said with a smile. "He's bigger than I am, so I guess I'll wait a little bit."

Buss confirmed that O'Neal was offered around $45 million for two more years, meaning he would have been under contract for over $100 million over the next four seasons had he accepted the offer.

"Do I wish he had taken that? I wanted him to take it," Buss said. "Whether or not I would have still traded him or not, I'm not sure. It's hard to go back in history."

Buss said he eager awaits the Christmas Day game between the Lakers and Miami Heat -- O'Neal's first against the Lakers since the trade.

"I can't wait. I think that's going to be one of the biggest games in sports," Buss said.

Via SF Chronicle

Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat

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Dwayne Wade Hits Game Winning Shot in Career Night

Is it possible that the most entertaining game of the night was in Miami and not Detroit?

In an overtime game, the Miami Heat defeated the Utah Jazz, two of the best teams in the NBA, and a possible Finals preview.

Wade delivered both a victory and the best performance of his young career. He capped a career-high 39-point night with a jumper over Raja Bell at the overtime buzzer, giving the Miami Heat a 107-105 victory over the Utah Jazz on Friday night.

Wade had 23 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, plus hit two free throws with 1 second left in regulation just to get Miami into the extra session.

"I always go through a stretch where I play bad, and I go through a stretch where I play good," Wade said. "That's the difference between this year and last year. Now I know it's going to happen like that, so I continue to stay focused. My team needs me down the stretch to make plays."

Via Yahoo!

Miami Heat, Utah Jazz

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Shandon Anderson Agrees to Sign with the Heat

Recently waived Knicks forward Shandon Anderson has agreed to sign with the Miami Heat, according to a league source.

Anderson was in Miami on Saturday and has passed the team physical, paving the way for him to be officially signed either Sunday or Monday.

Anderson agreed to a $20 million buyout of the remaining three years, $24 million of his contract with the Knicks earlier in the week, paving the way for him to join the team of his choice.

A number of teams -- including the Bulls, Rockets, Nuggets and Warriors -- also made a push for Anderson. However, Anderson wanted to join a team with a legitimate shot at an NBA title. The Heat are starting Rasual Butler --a former second-round pick in his third year -- ahead of veteran Wesley Person at small forward.

Via ESPN

Miami Heat, New York Knicks

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