SHAQ THROWS HIS FIRST ART SHOW: 'Size DOES Matter' exhibition includes essay by author James Frey.

       Under the theme of "scale," the 7-foot-1 NBA star is putting together the show featuring 52 large pieces of contemporary art from 39 artists, including Maurizio Cattelan, Andreas Gursky and Ron Mueck – who contributes a sculpture of a naked, hairless giant called "Untitled (Big Man.)"

       “New York is the art capital, so I’m pleased to be starting at the top,’’ O’Neal, 37, said in an e-mail interview with Bloomberg.com. “It was a little harder than I thought it would be. When you think about what each of the artists put into their work, what they are expressing and want to share with the world, you feel bad about having to narrow it down.’’       

       He said he chose pieces he “can relate to.’’

       The writer James Frey, whose memoir "A Million Little Pieces" was found to contain fabrications, is writing an essay for the exhibition catalog.

       Shaq told Bloomberg News curating was like playing basketball: "I have a responsibility to the artists, who are my 'teammates.' We all have to make each other look good -- no different than what I do on the court."