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LeBron James visits the Knicks Friday night in a game that is perhaps not as important as people who spend too much time in close proximity to the I-95 corridor think it is. Madison Square Garden has some solid history, sure, but as a majority of SportsNation would attest, we're not talking about the Coliseum in Rome (more like Kennedy Arena in Rome, N.Y.).

Nevertheless, with the Cavaliers off to a 3-3 start and looking like a team little better than the versions that came up short in recent seasons, a visit to the Big Apple will rev up the engines of speculation when it comes to LeBron's future plans. NBA.com blogger Sam Smith made a bold prediction this week, suggesting LeBron will end up playing alongside Kobe Bryant with the Lakers. To which we say, it's about time Phil Jackson gets some talent to work with. But could the game's two biggest stars really coexist?

• Vote: Is Shaq to blame in Cleveland, and where will LeBron play next season?
• Your Rankings: Where are the Cavaliers and Knicks in your NBA Power Rankings?
• Week's chat wraps: Chad Ford | David Thorpe | ESPN Dallas on Mavericks

Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd always shake hands before stepping on the set of "SportsNation" TV.

Argue the hot topics of the day and vote on the biggest stories from the world of sports. The show airs on ESPNEWS at 4 p.m. and ESPN2 at midnight ET.

Note: Broadcast voting results as of this afternoon (ET).

Would you let Shaq spank you on your birthday?
In a hands-on interview, Shaq administered the birthday spanking for radio host "Money" from the "Petros & Money Show."

Should LeGarrette Blount be kicked off the Oregon football team?
Replays of the Oregon running back's punching Boise State linebacker Byron Hout after the Ducks' loss will be shown all season.

Are the Eagles too consumed with Michael Vick?
He'll be eligible in Week 3. In his final preseason game, Vick ran for a 2-yard touchdown, was sacked four times, lost a fumble and was intercepted.

Should Oklahoma State and Georgia shake hands before their football game?
The Cowboys won't have a team handshake with the Bulldogs, citing concerns about incidents that might erupt during the display of sportsmanship.

What do you think of Tiger Woods' criticism of Ernie Els?
Els said he had a three-year plan for dethroning Tiger but hasn't won in his past 41 tournaments. Tiger said his opponent hasn't worked hard enough.

What is "SportsNation" TV, and how do you make your voice heard? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.

Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd haven't been in a fight . . . yet . . . but they'll talk about the benefits and drawbacks of such activity on "SportsNation" TV.

Argue the hot topics, vote on the biggest stories and chat during the show, on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. and midnight ET.

Note: Broadcast voting results as of afternoon ET.

What do you think of fights at NFL training camps?
In virtually every camp, two players will eventually end up hitting more than just pads. Is it an indication of needed passion or the decay of team chemistry?

Should the Green Bay Packers sign Michael Vick?
When asked about possibly signing Michael Vick, Packers GM Ted Thompson said the team was considering all options. Should Green Bay sign the quarterback?

Should Tom Brady play most of the preseason?
Which is more important, playing it safe with one of the league's best players coming back from injury or getting reps in preparation for the season?

Which Shaq/Shack do you love more?
RadioShack wants to be called "The Shack." While we ponder the impact of such a change, we have to ask if this Shack is better than that Shaq?

Is having 35,000 standing room only tickets a good idea?
The Dallas Cowboys have a lot of room to stand. And apparently a big desire to break the "100,000 butts in the seats" plateau in their new billion dollar stadium.

What is "SportsNation" TV, and how do you make your voice heard? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.

We're going to go out on a limb here and say that Shaquille O'Neal has mastered the art of being a celebrity.

Oh, sure, there are people out there more famous than he is. We'd venture to say that he's not even the most famous basketball player out there. He is, however, seemingly unencumbered by the weights of fame that routinely drag other athletes and celebrities down.

Shaq goes through life like a kind of wandering troubadour, concerned only with being interesting. If he's in Washington, he'll show up at the White House as a kind of social experiment. If he's in a car, he'll put on some kind of wig. He'll challenge David Beckham more than once. If you're part of the Twitter-verse, Shaq will hang out with you.

Even Shaq's ex-teammates like him (with a few possible exceptions). Steve Nash recently told the AP that Shaq will be a great fit in Cleveland. Meanwhile, Shaq is a bit busy fake-choking a gigantic man in spandex. Which is really no surprise.

• Check out Shaq's pioneering Twitter page, where he dispenses wisdom, challenges and the occasional indictments of Stephon Marbury's eating habits.
• Pujols and Serena may be too much for Shaq to handle, but most fans think he has a chance against Oscar.
• Most of SportsNation would actually let Shaq do whatever he wants, like some kind of benevolent dictator.
• Groups: Cleveland Cavaliers fans | WWE FANS

Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd are better than two grand slams in the same inning. Check them out on "SportsNation" TV.

Ignore the pitch counts, discuss the hot topics, vote on the biggest stories of the day and chat during the show on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. ET.

What are your thoughts on public displays of affection?
Kate Hudson and Alex Rodriguez went public with their romance this weekend. And there are all those happy couples and proposals in the stands.

Does being rated the nation's No. 1 party school help or hurt recruiting?
Penn State is at the top of the list this year. Who doesn't want to have fun at college? What's this talk of going to class and practice, anyway?

If you went to jail for two years would your job welcome you back?
Roger Goodell is giving Michael Vick a chance, if any team will sign him. Would the bosses where you work be as accommodating?

Is trash talking among athletes good or bad for sports?
Alberto Contador has nothing nice to say about Lance Armstrong. Good thing they'll be racing on different teams next year in the Tour de France.

Should Shaq be allowed to do whatever he wants?
The big guy is everywhere: Twitter, TV, Cleveland. Besides being a basketball behemoth, he's also a cultural colossus.

What is "SportsNation" TV, and how do you make your voice heard? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.

"SportsNation" TV plans to use every pitcher on the staff today, including All-Star hosts Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd.

Share your pitches, swing at the knuckleball ideas, vote on the biggest stories of the day and chat during the show on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. ET.

With the proper training, could Shaq beat Brock Lesnar?
We're not asking whether Shaq would survive 30 seconds, like 26 percent of you said you could do yesterday. Could the big guy actually beat the UFC champ?

What do you think about the broadcast of President Obama's first pitch?
It didn't make the pitch look any faster or higher off the ground, but the odd angle did cause some watching the All-Star Game to cry conspiracy.

Would you play in Greece if you could make twice as much money?
Knicks guard Nate Robinson reportedly has a two-year offer from Olympiakos, the team that lured Josh Childress to Athens.

Does seeing your team's players having fun with rivals bother you?
Fans demonstrate daily how much they hate rival teams and fans. And then come the All-Star games, during which the guys are buddy-buddy.

Is Randy Moss responsible for Matt Cassel's success?
The Chiefs are going to pay their new quarterback more than $60 million over six years, expecting him to be more than a one-season wonder.

And our final question …
An 11-3 record wasn't enough to get the 42-year-old knuckleballer into the game, even though his first All-Star appearance might also be his last. Should he have gotten a chance?

What is "SportsNation" TV and how do you make your voice heard on the broadcast? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.

In the immediate aftermath of the team's most recent championship, SportsNation was split as to whether or not the Lakers were favorites to repeat. But when the Cavaliers made their big move, literally, by adding Shaquille O'Neal to the mix, popular support swung in favor of LeBron James' team.

So what impact does Ron Artest have on things? Well, voters still think Artest would fit better alongside LeBron and Shaq, but it's no longer a contest for the top spot.

By a better than 2-to-1 margin, it's the Lakers for two.

And Artest's combustible past aside, voters not only think Dennis Rodman was more of a handful for Phil Jackson; they think a current member of the Lakers is more of a chore.

• It was a relatively quiet long weekend, although Hedo Turkoglu did his best to create some dramatic fireworks. SportsNation isn't buying that Toronto's Turkish community or Turkoglu's comfort level with the Eastern Conference had much to do with his apparent reversal after reaching a verbal agreement to sign with the Blazers. They also aren't convinced pairing Turkoglu with Chris Bosh makes the Raptors a playoff team.

• Vote: Jason Kidd's decision to stay and Rasheed Wallace's relocation
• Groups: LA Laker Haters | Celtic Pride CHAMPIONS! | Portland Trail Blazers Nation

Just hours after the celebrated arrival of Shaquille O'Neal to Cleveland (where the big man proclaimed he'd "win a ring for the King"), Ron Artest one-upped the Big Aristotle and announced he would be signing a three-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.

If his word is golden, it means that Artest and Kobe Bryant will be amicably (we think) sharing the same court. What does this mean to SportsNation? Well, before today, you had LeShaq and the Cleveland Cavaliers as your favorite to win the 2010 NBA finals. But perhaps things have changed? Cast your vote below.

• Where did Ron Artest rank against the other 2009 free agents? Find out »


“

This is terrible. Ariza is a much better choice than Artest. Artest may be more skilled, but Ariza is a team player who can play well with Kobe (and not many can play well with Kobe). I really thought the Lakers had a chance to repeat, but with this move, I'm not sure at all anymore. Artest is actually a downgrade in many aspects.

” -- rfg56fd2



“

Brilliant move by the Lakers. I was hoping this would happen. Man, the Rockets have completely imploded.

” -- bwpbruce

• Vote: What's the impact of all the big trades in the NBA this week?

We'll get back to the actual draft selections in a bit, but frankly, aside from new Timberwolves general manager David Kahn putting Matt Millen and Jon Gruden to shame by stockpiling people who play the same position in a matter of mere minutes, the week's real drama involved players who long since had their moment on the podium with David Stern.

We're talking trades -- and not just mentally talking, as Shaq seems to prefer.

Vince Carter is in Orlando, Richard Jefferson is in San Antonio, Shaquille O'Neal is in Cleveland and Thabo Sefolosha is in Oklahoma City. And if you don't think that last one matters, you've obviously never listened to anyone with an Oklahoma accent.

• A 'Nation of one? Florida almost alone in thinking more of Carter than Shaq.
• Chat wrap: See what Stepehn Curry, Ricky Rubio and others told SportsNation.
• Fan groups: Cleveland Cavaliers fans | Orlando Magic Hoops | San Antonio Spurs

• Vote: Who is the leader in Kobe and Shaq's race to hoops immortality?

Much like his favorite philosopher, Aristotle, Shaquille O'Neal hasn't had much need for winter outerwear while making a name for himself in warm climates. But to answer one of the key questions of human existence -- whether or not he's better than Kobe Bryant -- he'll have to break out the mittens and scarves. Winter in Cleveland; it's fantastic!

The trade that will send Shaq to the shores of Lake Erie for a second-round pick and nearly 14 feet of expiring contracts isn't finalized (presumably still checking for Ben Wallace's pulse ... Update: Good news for the Cavs and Wallace; the deal was finalized Thursday), but SportsNation likes the idea of Shaq adding LeBron to a trophy case of partners that includes Kobe and Dwyane Wade (and Penny Hardaway, but nobody's perfect).

• In the hours before details of the trade became clear, two out of three voters were already saying the big guy is a good fit for the Cavaliers.
• It's still early (especially on the left coast, where we pity those awake enough to vote), but Shaq's move is creating a Rocky Mountain schism when it comes to the defending champion Lakers or the new-look Cavaliers as the favorite next season.
• But when it comes to whether or not Shaq's relocation is a bigger deal than the United States beating Spain in soccer -- It's the (original) world's game all the way.