Shaquille O’Neal was – to most knowledgeable eyes – the most dominating basketball player since the Wilt Chamberlain/Bill Russell era. Nevertheless, he won only one MVP award. And, despite his four championship rings and his hall-of-fame career, Shaq never could shake the perception that he might have been an even greater player, had he approached the game with a ninja-killer-zeal like Michael Jordon.

Fortunately for the rest of us, the haters can now suck on this:

I always liked Yao Ming. He consistently came across as an athlete who understood his larger cultural role, and didn’t shy away from it. Like a 100-times-less-important Jackie Robinson.

And, I always felt it was such a bummer that Yao, who was obviously skilled and dedicated to his profession, had his career cut short by injury.

Now, we no longer have to feel sorry for Yao. He’s moved into far more rarefied terrain. He’s making wine in Napa, which is what God would do if He could take a vacation. That’s living the good life, Yao. Bravo.

Times are tough all around in this brave new world of economic collapse in the West. In 100 years, the Chinese Basketball League will have the problems our hegemonic NBA owners now face. For now, we must face the hard facts of our era.

Among these Hard Truths: NBA players are having to cut back on personal spending. There are many creative ways, as those of us in the more common economic strata understand. Here’s a new one: hand out Ramen Noodles instead of candy for Halloween, like NBA-er Tony Allen did.

I hope that Allen looked deep into the damp eyes of sobbing trick-or-treaters and said, “David Stern made me do this. David Stern ruined your Halloween.”

It’s not President Obama’s most insightful moment, but at the 5.30 mark he does address the NBA lockout. And yes, no matter what your political persuasion, it’s rad when the chief executive loves basketball.

You know in your heart that Magic is right.

Looks like Kobe in Italy is almost a totally done deal.

If the Clippers star isn’t one of your favorites already, make him one.

This is the nine weirdest seconds on the Internet. Teen-aged international pop superstar Justin Beiber crossing over future hall-of-famer Steve Nash, scoring on him, with international pop superstar girlfriend Selena Gomez cheering him on. Ladies and gentlemen, the media age is a strange place.