didnt heal properly and Ilgauskas sat out the entire 1999-2000 se

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Shaquille ONeal spent the first part of the century smashing Sacramentos dreams of an NBA championship. Now he wants to spend the next part doing anything he can to build the Kings into a winner. Declaring the new name of the city "Shaqramento," ONeal began by taking steps in his size 22 shoes Tuesday to make amends to Kings fans for his past verbal swipes. The new minority owner of the Kings said he just wanted to rile up people and market the game when he called the franchise the "Sacramento Queens" while winning three titles with the Los Angeles Lakers. "I apologize," ONeal said. "If you see me around town, come give me a hug, give me a kiss. Ill do whatever you want." The 15-time All-Star centre promised to use the same brand that bullied Sacramento for years to bring positive attention to Californias capital city. ONeals larger-than-life personality did just that on his first day on the job. He attracted a crowd of about 75 reporters, with TV trucks fighting for the closest parking space outside Sacramentos suburban practice facility and about a dozen fans trying to sneak into the parking lot. ONeal said has no intention of being a silent investor. He wants to be a mentor to volatile centre DeMarcus Cousins, give his input on basketball decisions and help the team build the NBAs first "indoor-outdoor arena." ONeal said he learned decades ago from Hall of Famer and friend Magic Johnson that endorsements "are good, but you want to own stuff." He declined to reveal his stake in the team but said joining an NBA ownership group "was always one of my dreams and aspirations," especially after retiring in 2011 after a 19-year playing career. New Kings majority owner Vivek Ranadive said he first approached ONeal about joining his group after he swayed the league to keep the Kings from moving to Seattle and bought the team from the Maloof family in May. Ranadives primary partner, 24 Hour Fitness founder Mark Mastrov, is friends with ONeal. The two partnered in the past to build about 20 gyms, especially in South Florida during ONeals time with the Miami Heat. ONeal said he moved from Los Angeles and couldnt find a place to work out at all hours and found Mastrov by searching his name on Google. "Make no mistake: Shaq is a shrewd businessman," Mastrov said. Ranadive said the deal came together a few weeks ago while "shooting hoops" at his Silicon Valley home with ONeal and Mastrov. "Hes one of the most recognizable people on the planet," Ranadive said, "and we are trying to build the Kings into an even bigger global brand." Ranadive revealed another one of those plans Tuesday. He said the teams season opener Oct. 30 against Denver will likely be broadcast in his native India. ONeal is the latest high-profile former player to join the Kings this summer after the franchise nearly moved to Seattle. Hall of Famer Chris Mullin was hired as a consultant to Ranadive and Mitch Richmond is part of the ownership group. But no member is a bigger surprise than ONeal. During the height of his career with the Lakers, ONeal fueled the rivalry with the Kings with his play on the court and his personality off of it. He handed Sacramento its biggest blow by rallying the Lakers from a 3-2 deficit to win the 2002 Western Conference finals -- which is still a sore spot for Kings fans -- and never missed a chance to poke fun at the franchise. "I wanted you to be very upset when you came to Arco Arena," ONeal said, speaking to fans through reporters. "In my mind, if you could survive something like this, then you could win anywhere. You guys had us nervous all the way up until that Game 7." Besides the opportunity to partner with friends, ONeal said he wanted to work with one of the NBAs best young centres -- and also one of its most troubled. ONeal said hes already initiated conversations with Cousins, who has been suspended several times by the NBA and the Kings for his behaviour. He said he wants to help Cousins the way Phil Jackson helped ONeal co-exist with others when he came to coach the Lakers. "When I look at a young DeMarcus Cousins, I see a young Shaquille ONeal. Very talented, very stubborn in his ways. Wants to do things his way," ONeal said. Cousins, who is entering his fourth year in the NBA, is eligible for a contract extension before Oct. 31 or he would become a restricted free agent next summer. Kings general manager Pete DAlessandro said contract negotiations are progressing but offered no further details. ONeal declined to discuss what he thinks Cousins will do but said the centre has been receptive to his help. "The conversations," he said, "have already started." Sneakers Australia Sale . -- Adam Tambellini scored three times and set up one more as the Calgary Hitmen won their sixth in a row by crushing the host Lethbridge Hurricanes 8-1 on Saturday in Western Hockey League play. Wholesale Sneakers Online . -- The Denver Broncos are shuffling their offensive line this off-season and Orlando Franklin provided some insight into their plans Monday by tweeting that hes moving from right tackle to left guard. http://www.cheapsneakersaustralia.com/ . Both of Padakins goals came in the second period while Zane Jones added a single in the first period for Calgary (13-6-4). Hitmen goaltender Chris Driedger finished with 30 saves for the shutout. Sneakers Online Australia .com) - Joique Bells touchdown run in the fourth quarter gave the Detroit Lions a 20-14 victory over the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Cheap Sneakers Australia . - Justin Turner is at his best with runners in scoring position, and he delivered again in a big spot for the Los Angeles Dodgers.CLEVELAND -- At 7-foot-3, Zydrunas Ilgauskas towered over everyone yet stayed completely down to earth. Soft-spoken and doggedly determined, Ilgauskas, who overcame serious injuries and personal tragedy to become one of Clevelands best and most beloved players, will have his No. 11 jersey retired Saturday night during an elaborate halftime ceremony certain to be emotionally poignant. The seventh player in team history to receive the honour, Ilgauskas joins Austin Carr, Nate Thurmond, Bobby "Bingo" Smith, Larry Nance, Brad Daugherty and Mark Price in having his number raised to the rafters of Quicken Loans Arena. All of them have career credentials worthy of the tribute, but the celebration for Ilgauskas goes far beyond any statistics. "Throw basketball stuff out the window," Cavs coach Mike Brown said. "Hes a terrific human being." Ilgauskas will be joined at the celebration by his wife, Jennifer, and their adopted sons, Deividas and Povilas. Hell be surrounded by family members, friends, former coaches and teammates, including LeBron James, who was invited by Ilgauskas and wanted to support the player known simply as "Z." "Probably one of the most talented guys I ever played with," James said. Ilgauskas conquered career-threatening foot injuries to become a two-time NBA All-Star as well as the Cavs career leader in rebounds (5,904), games played (771) and blocks (1,269). Hes second on the scoring list, behind only James. A gentle giant off the floor, Ilgauskas accomplished it all through hard work, enduring endless hours of grueling rehab and treatment to fulfil a dream that began as a small boy playing soccer and volleyball in Lithuania. Ilgauskas spent 12 seasons with the Cavs, and for a long stretch of his tenure he was the only good thing about the franchise. That all changed when James arrived in 2003, and along with Ilgauskas -- an odd couple if there ever was one -- they led the Cavs to their only NBA finals appearance in 2007. One of the enduring moments in Cleveland sports over the last 30 years was James and Ilgauskas wrapping their arms around each other too celebrate the Cavs win over Detroit in the Eastern Conference finals.dddddddddddd After being traded, Ilgauskas followed James to Miami and played one season with the Heat. Ilgauskas retired in 2011, but returned to the Cavs the following year and has been working as a special assistant to the general manager. Hes always been special. Ilgauskas connected with Cleveland fans like few pro athletes. Big Z endeared himself with his perseverance, resilience, loyalty and a dry, self-deprecating sense of humour. Shortly after undergoing his second major foot surgery, Ilgauskas quipped he "had as much hardware as Home Depot" in his feet. The Cavs selected Ilgauskas with the 20th overall pick in 1996, and after a promising rookie season in 1997-98, he encountered the first of many medical obstacles. Shortly after signing a six-year, $71 million contract, he broke his left foot just five games into the 1998-99 season. It didnt heal properly and Ilgauskas sat out the entire 1999-2000 season. Ilgauskas seemed poised to become one of the leagues top centres, but felt a sharp pain in his left foot during a game in Miami. Ilgauskas took himself out, and broke down in the locker room after, knowing his playing days might be over at 25. After visiting foot specialists across the country, Ilgauskas underwent a risky operation to have his left foot radically reconstructed. He tortured himself during workouts to get back, and spent countless hours getting treatment on his feet, which required extensive icing before and after he played. It all paid off when Ilgauskas was named an All-Star reserve in 2003. There were other hardships, the most challenging in 2007 when he and Jennifer lost the twins she was carrying. Through it all, Ilgauskas was the consummate teammate. "Zs like a big brother to me," Cavs centre Anderson Varejao said. "He helped me a lot in this league, with everything, basketball, on the road. When I got here I didnt speak any English. He put me under his wing and took care of me. Hes a big part of my life." And in Cleveland, Ilgauskas has always been so much more than big. ' ' '