posted on Jun, 3 2005 @ 02:03 PM
Shaq says arrangements are made for Mikan's funeral expenses
The family of George Mikan accepted Shaquille O'Neal's offer to pay for the late center's funeral expenses.
O'Neal said arrangements were finalized Friday. ``Everything's going to be handled,'' O'Neal said.
Mikan, the NBA's first dominant big man, died Wednesday night at a rehabilitation center in Scottsdale, Ariz., following a long fight with diabetes
and kidney ailments. He was 80.
O'Neal said he greatly enjoyed getting to know and speak with Mikan on several occasions. Shortly after the Heat beat Detroit 88-76 in Game 5 of the
Eastern Conference finals on Thursday night, O'Neal said he would like to handle the funeral costs.
``I heard they were having some trouble, some problems, so if you contact the Heat office, I would like to pay for the funeral,'' O'Neal said.
O'Neal and Mikan are linked by leading the Lakers franchise to multiple NBA championships; Mikan carried the Minneapolis Lakers to five titles in a
six-year span. O'Neal led the Los Angeles Lakers to three consecutive championships from 2000-2002.
sports.yahoo.com...
Although this hardly even puts a dent in Shaq's bank account, it's the thought that counts here and thats nice to see out of one of the league's
premier players. Its nice to know that some players havent forgotten those that make these opportunites possible. Its also nice to know that Mikan's
family will be without the financial worry of burying him while they grieve. A big thumbs up to the Diesel.