By Darryl Howerton #21

Guess it’s time for Shaq to show King James how to become king.

Yes sir. It’s Mufasa & Simba time again.

I can picture it now--the opening credits are rolling, and LeBron has just finished singing "I Just Can't Wait To Be King," as Shaqfasa tells the young lion to look toward the stars because the great kings of the past look down upon him, offering help ... just as Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton once guided young Shaq when he needed basketball wisdom, oh, 20 years or so ago, even before the Love Shaq University days.

Yes, the student has now become the teacher and Master Shaq indeed has a long list of honor-roll students in his wake.

It's a tall tale yet true tale often told how Shaq got Kobe, D-Wade, Zo & Glove their first championship rings, Penny to his first Finals and countless others to untold riches, thanks to the many heists pulled by Shaq & his crew (at last count, O'Neal had banked $271.6 million in NBA money alone).

I like to call his crew O'Neal's Eleven ... Think about it: not since Clooney has any actor starred with as many headliners as this TWISM globetrotter.

Kobe, D-Wade, Penny, Rodman, Mailman, Glove, Nash, Amare, Zo, G-Hill & now LeBron ... Talk about an elite eleven. I'm not sure even Springfield has this many Hall of Famers in its hallowed halls.

And what's so amazing about the O'Neal's Eleven crew is that they all have their own backstories to tell of how this genie named Shaq made their wishes come true.

Back when Shaq was "The Hooper, The Hyper, Protected By Viper," he also cast Penny Hardaway in "Blue Chips," and next thing you know, Lil Penny is throwing pool parties in Orlando with Tyra Banks as his special guest: "I know my spot, Fool!"

Don't forget, Shaq also played with Dennis Rodman in L.A. after the wild man's glory days in the Chi & Motown ... and even once played as Rodman when the expectations were lowered, so to speak.

Diesel also teamed up with his sometimes-friend/sometimes-rival Kobe Bryant in that same La-La-Land, at times making us forget anything else existed, way back when Dancin' Mark Madsen & The Lakers were always celebrating championships: "CANNN YOUUU DIGGGG ITTTT??????" ... Yes, we can. And we did.

Who could forget Shaq putting on his cape & running shoes, just to make Karl Malone & Gary Payton feel at home ... How he came in like Chuck Norris and helped Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, Grant Hill & The Suns always pack the house (161 consecutive sellouts), making them the most entertaining team in the league thanks to his Dancing With The Suns shows ... How Shaq made Dwyane Wade something more than just a mere "hanger-on" ... How he made Alonzo Mourning's retirement in Miami even more special & shinier with a ring, coming through on his championship guarantee to the Heat, saying, "When you put a bunch of old lions with young lions, the old lion will do one of two things: run away and be old or be young like the young lions."

Which brings us back to our original premise of old lion teaching young.

I'm sure now that LeBron & Shaq are teammates we'll see the Cavs' pregame intros become the best in NBA history after these MVPs have a meeting of the minds (kinda like when Spielberg & Lucas brainstormed so famously three decades ago).

I'm sure we'll also see Grandpa Shaq adapt to LeBron's futuristic game, just like O'Neal did in the Year 2044 when the NBA put in moving baskets.

And finally, I'm sure Shaq will teach LeBron how to defeat Superman II a.k.a. Dwight Howard, just like O'Neal did at the 2007 NBA All-Star dance-off. As everybody now knows, don't ever mess with Jabbawockeez.

Yes sir. Papa Shaq has come to Cleveland to show what he learned from Sarge ... To show the world that there is a new sheriff in town (and a rapper ... and a jockey ... and an MMA fighter).

It's exactly what Cleveland needs at the exact moment it needs it. The O'Neal's Eleven crew has struck gold again!! Congratulations Shaq on pulling off another heist!!

And congrats to you too, LeBron!! ... Your throne awaits you, King James.