While Shaquille O’Neal was on the bench for the latter part of the second round of the playoffs watching his Miami Heat sweep the Washington Wizards, he was putting the finishing touches on his new show, ‘Shaquille.’

The six- episode reality series, which Shaq will narrate, will detail the behind-the-scenes life of one of the sports world’s biggest stars. The filming wrapped not too long ago and also captured the first post-breakup encounter between Kobe Bryant and Shaq when the Lakers and Heat battled on Christmas Day. The show’s first episode aired this week on ESPN and the following episodes will air before games of the Eastern and Western Conference Finals on ESPN.

Kobe is Appreciated... But Not in L.A.

Speaking of Kobe, fans in Miami are not hiding their gratitude for the embattled basketball star. Many fans attending the Miami Heat playoff games have been sporting a new red T-shirt that says "Thank You Kobe, Love, Miami" emblazoned on the front. The statement is obviously referring to the monster trade that sent Shaquille O’Neal to the Miami Heat from the L.A. Lakers. Many fans in both Miami and L.A. feel that Kobe is partly responsible for making that trade happen because of Kobe’s "him or me" attitude toward Lakers management. Anyhow, you can pick up your own "Thank You Kobe" T-shirt for $16 at ThankYouKobe.com.

Denver Bronco Turns Down $50,000 for Education

Denver Bronco safety Nick Ferguson received his degree in marketing from Georgia Tech this spring but it cost him $50,000 to do it. In order to earn his degree, Ferguson had to opt out of the Bronco off-season workouts, which would have paid him that chunk of money if he participated.

"If I didn't do it, there would always be a void there," Ferguson told the Denver Post about returning to school. "It gives you a sense of self-worth, and it's something that nobody can ever take away from you. Some friends thought I was crazy. I knew I could take the $50,000 now, but I also knew I would still have that hurdle out there to get over. I knew the longer I stayed out there, the tougher it would be to go back. You get so trapped in your everyday life; it's hard to go back."

Ferguson also said that he went back to school for his mother as well because it was important to her that he received a college degree.

Magic Johnson Invests in New York Skyline

According to the New York Post, Canyon-Johnson Urban Fund, which Earvin “Magic” Johnson is a partner, and Dermot Co. will purchase the Williamsburg Savings Bank building in Brooklyn for $600 million. The 75-year-old, 34-story landmark is the tallest building in Brooklyn and the group plans to renovate it into 200 luxury condos with retail stores on the ground level.

"We are believers in Brooklyn as a place that is economically growing, entertaining and the place to be," Magic told the Post.

Marion Jones Dissed by the Europeans

European track officials have placed a ban on Marion Jones during an investigation of doping allegations by the International Olympic Committee. Although no doping charges have been filed, she’s never failed a drug test and denies that she used any drugs. Jones has been linked to the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (Balco) scandal, whose founder was one of four men indicted in an alleged steroids distribution ring.

"We will not invite her, or any other athlete under investigation, until the Balco situation is cleared," Svein Arne Hansen, director of the Bislett meet in Oslo, Norway, told India’s Zee News. "We are not saying she is guilty, I just do not want our meet to be about doping."

Jones is apparently fighting back by having her lawyer, Rich Nichols, send letters to the top officials of track and field’s governing body and the chief executive of the U.S. Olympic Committee asking them to help end the ban.

Jerome Williams Is for the Children

Jerome Williams, also known as Junkyard Dog, power forward for the New York Knicks, called up New York Post columnist Cindy Adams and gave her the lowdown on his off-season projects.

"I just opened Cheering for Children, a playground on East 86th with John Starks, who used to be with the Knicks,” he told Adams. “Madison Square Garden's building 10 playgrounds and this one's for the underprivileged from East Harlem. I'm putting in swings, slides, jungle gyms, but no baskets. These are kids. You need long arms for basketball."

Williams also said that he’s putting out a children’s CD on the R&B tip encouraging them to stay in school and to stay out of trouble. He also told Adams he has a reality show in works called ‘The 411 on the 212’ where he connects with his athlete friends and talk about the latest trends for cars in the New York area. He also is starting a clothing line, JYD Clothing, and has a Web site that hasn’t been updated in awhile.

William ‘The Refrigerator’ Perry Can’t Eat His Cake

William "The Refrigerator" Perry’s new career isn't starting off too well. The former star defensive lineman of the Chicago Bears, known mostly for his big body, has been participating in eating contests the past couple of years. Last week, he competed in a cake-eating contest at Grand Central Station in New York and was beat soundly. Richard LeFevere, a 61-year-old, 135-pound retired auditor, devoured a five-pound birthday cake in 11 minutes and 26 seconds. At that point, Perry had only eaten about a pound of cake, putting him dead last. The same thing happened in 2003 when Perry was beat in a hot-dog-eating contest. Looks like he needs to find a new gig.