Popovich Plays Joke On Shaq?

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich appeared to play a joke on Suns center Shaquille O'Neal just a few seconds into a game between Phoenix and San Antonio on Wednesday night.

Just five seconds into the game, Michael Finley intentionally fouled O'Neal.

After some confusion on behalf of O'Neal and the Suns, ESPN's camera focused on a grinning Popovich, who stuck up both his thumbs in O'Neal's direction.

Shaquille shared a laugh with Popovich before the game was resumed and the intensity of the rivalry between the two teams returned.

O'Neal famously criticized Popovich and the Spurs for employing the "Hack-A-Shaq" strategy in the first round of last year's playoffs.

Via Andrew Perna/RealGM

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Spurs Exercise Third-Year Option On Mahinmi

The Spurs exercised their third-year option on center Ian Mahinmi's rookie contract Wednesday.

Mahinmi is entering his second season in San Antonio and is now signed through the 2009-10 season.

The native of France was drafted in the first round by the Spurs in 2005 and signed two years later after spending four seasons in the French A League.

Via ESPN

San Antonio Spurs

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Irregular Heartbeat Sidelines Spurs' Forward Oberto

Spurs' forward Fabricio Oberto will sit out the first two games of the regular season after undergoing treatment for an irregular heartbeat.

Oberto told Spurs trainers during practice Tuesday that he felt a fluttering in his heart.

A test confirmed that he has an abnormal rhythm, known as atrial fibrillation. He underwent a procedure on Tuesday night to restore his heart's normal rhythm.

Via ESPN

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