[Miami, FL] Pro B-baller Shane Battier of the Miami Heat is enlisting some of his teammates – including LeBron James – to help him raise money for charity.

We actually think this is all an elaborate ruse Mr. Battier to get people to hear him sing. Karaoke. Yes.

On Tuesday (March 27), Battier and his wife Heidi will host “South Beach Battioke” at the legendary Eden Roc Renaissance Hotel to benefit his charity, The Battier Take Charge Foundation, which funds college scholarships for deserving high school students from Miami.

The Eden Roc, a Marriott property,  is located at 4525 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL  33140. Show starts at 7:30 p.m.

The press release for this thing mentions that Miami players LeBron James and Mike Miller will hit the stage with a song (hopefully not as a duet), along with Miami Heat President Pat Riley and swimsuit model Chrissy Teigen.

Pat Riley singing? Sign me up … for ear plugs. LeBron James? At least there’s a cool factor if he can’t carry a tune. And that swimsuit model? Who cares, she’s a swimsuit model.

They’ll also be auctioning off some Shane-centric items including:

• Two floor seats to the April 4th Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Miami Heat game, dinner after at Prime 112 with Shane and Heidi, and signed, game-worn shoes
• Have Shane speak at your child’s school (either to the child’s class or a school assembly)

By: Mark Christopher/Sunshine Slate

Image: (L) Miami Heat, (R) Take Charge Foundation

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LeBron James

[Miami, FL] With The Miami Heat looking toward the playoffs – and not particularly liking what they see – on Wednesday the team signed veteran center Ronny Turiaf in hopes of adding some bigger, better talent in the middle.

“We are very happy to be able to add an experienced veteran center at this stage of the season,” said Miami Heat President Pat Riley. “Ronny’s energy will be a great addition and bolster our front line.”

An all-out press by the Heat players – including LeBron James and Dwyane Wade – convinced Turiaf to join the South Florida squad.

“High energy, great character and gives us another body and another presence in the middle, which we’re going to need going into these playoffs,” Wade was quoted as saying by FOX Sports. “I think he’s going to fit right in. For us, it was a no-brainer. … Once he gets into Miami Heat shape, gets those playoff legs ready, I think he’s going to be a great fit for us.”

The Heat’s current roster currently has three big men, but all of them are big disappointments seen as unable to match up to the likes of Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic. Joel Anthony only averages 3.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. And much ballyhooed pickup Eddy Curry has only scored 62 points this season – and that total includes the points scored by the team’s other center, Dexter Pittman.

There was room to add Turiaf after Mickell Gladness‘ 10-day contract expired.

Turiaf, who played in four games for the Washington Wizards this season before sustaining an injury,doesn’t bring much more than that to the table, but he is fresh meat and the other guys just ain’t cutting it inside. And with the trade deadline passed, Turiaf – who was included in a trade earlier this season and waived – was just about the only thing going.

Turiaf does have extensive playoff experience, however, appearing in 30 games and shooting 44.8% from the field.

By: Mark Christopher/Sunshine Slate

Image: NBAE

Miami Heat