Hooped Up

Mark Cuban certainly didn’t say anything to fan the flames of speculation that Shaq will land in Dallas this summer. “You never say never because this is such a crazy league,” Cuban said after implying that the odds of such a deal going down are pretty long, “but you could say that about any player in the league right now.” Cuban kidded that his recent Twitter tweetfest with Shaq was a case of them trying to date, “but his wife got in the way.” “I haven’t had a man crush,” Cuban claimed. “Shaq and I and Phil Jackson, for that matter, always would have these fun verbal sparring matches. It was always just fun and entertaining, and I think people extended that with Shaq to think that we were madly in love. We haven’t even dated.” Would you have interest in further flirting? “As long as it’s not about basketball,” Cuban said.
Dallas Morning News

Andre Iguodala believes there’s still time for the Sixers to get their act together. “We just want to go into the playoffs playing our best basketball,” Iguodala said. “I think we played great in the second half. We just need to carry that good play to the playoffs. These next few regular-season games will be very important.” After the Bulls, the Sixers face the NBA East-leading Cavaliers on Friday. 
Philly Burbs 

Forward Grant Hill said he wants to return to the Suns next season, as long as the team does not undergo a massive makeover. “It depends on what the goals and objectives are,” said Hill, still looking to advance in the playoffs for the first time in his career. “I think we can still be competitive in the West. My gut tells me they want to continue to compete in the West. I get the feeling they want me back and I want to be back.”
Arizona Republic

Knicks president Donnie Walsh, back from his scouting trip to Italy, said that Spanish forward Jorge Garbajosa was the best player he saw. Garbajosa, the former Toronto Raptor, is a free agent.
NY Daily News 

Yet sources indicate that O’Neal, due to make $21 million in 2009-10 in the final year of his contract, would be a second-tier choice for the Mavs. Although he could address some longstanding shortcomings for the Mavs — with his low-post scoring and physical presence as well as an ongoing ability to sell tickets — they are believed to be looking to inject their Dirk Nowitzki-Jason Kidd-Jason Terry-Josh Howard core with younger legs if possible.
ESPN.com