NBA Essentials: Family Time for the Shaqs

NBA Essentials ranks our six favorite stories of the day.

1. You Been Blinded. Shaq teaches his sons all of his best dance moves.



2. Ball in Europe. If I understand this right -- and there's a strong chance I don't -- American taxpayers might in a roundabout way have to pay the Spurs some cash if Tony Parker (insured by AIG while playing for France) gets injured in Eurobasket qualifying this month.

3. Empty the Bench. The ETB fellows interview Yahoo!'s Adrian Wojnarowski, one of the best NBA reporters out there.

4. ESPN, via Deadspin. (Ironic, I know.) Kevin Garnett discusses some of his favorite sneaky defensive maneuvers, like "stepping on the guy's feet, holding his hand, then knowing when to let go at the right time so it's not a foul."

5. Hornets 24/7 and 3 Shades of Blue. One blog explains why the Grizz would be lucky to win 15 games this season. Memphis fans respond.

6. Detroit News, via Detroit Bad Boys. Piston assistant Dave Cowens on Amir Johnson: "Amir does a lot of things you can't coach and he can't do a lot of things you can coach."