LITTLE ROCK — Shaq statue act OK, just not on court
Maybe the Boston Celtics aren’t ready for the Shaq spectacle.
The Celtics have had a lot of great players over the past few years, but none quite like Shaquille O’Neal in terms of generating interest away from the basketball court.
On Thursday, Shaq spent an hour in Harvard Square playing the role of a “statue.” Shaq sent a tweet at 1:14 Thursday that he would pose perfectly still and allow people to photograph him for one hour. He did not speak, although some fan comments made his smile.
After an hour, he hopped into a van and was whisked away.
His coach wasn’t exactly floored by the event.
“I don’t even know what you’re talking about,” said Celtics Coach Doc Rivers, when asked about O’Neal’s stunt. “He brings us something to talk about off the floor, probably as much as any player we’ve had. I’m good withthat, as long as he brings that same interest on the floor. I’m hoping that he will.” Record payoff
A $2 wager on one horse went a long way at Remington Park.
Van Nistelrooy Gal won the fifth race Thursday at the Oklahoma City track at odds of 141-1 - making a $2 wager worth $284.60.
The payout is a record for the 22-year-old track. The previous record was $254.20 on Oct. 28,2001, on a horse named Cherokee County.
Van Nistelrooy Gal passed evenmoney favorite Crossfirehurricane in the stretch and held on for the upset by a head under jockey Benny Landeros. Mimi’s Reward was third.
It was the second win in 18 career races for Van Nistelrooy Gal. Pass on this
Brett Favre has an NFL record 6,171 completions on 9,962 attemptswith 324 interceptions.
Wrote RJ Currie of sportsdeke.
com: “This means Favre also has the dubious distinction of 3,791 incomplete passes - even more if you include a) the playoffs, and b) hostesses and massage therapists.” A big miscount
American Kamari Charlton, a former football player at Florida State, may be punished by caning in Singapore after overstaying his 90-day visa by 169 days.
Apparently, Charlton didn’t major in math.
Net gain
Los Angeles Lakers guard Sasha Vujacic and tennis star Maria Sharapova are set to be married.
“As for any potential offspring,” wrote Dwight Perry of The Seattle Times, “pundits predict they’d be the first tennis champion to cut down a net.” Overheard
Vancouver, British Columbia, comic Torben Rolfsen, on Auburn’s 65-43 victory over Arkansas on Oct. 16: “College basketball seems to be starting earlier every year.”Quote of the day “Well it took five hours,
but we got the win.” Coach Bobby Petrino after Arkansas’ 38-24 victory over Ole Miss was delayed twice by lightning
Sports, Pages 28 on 10/24/2010