Future NFL diva

ALONG WITH THE constant strain of contract disputes, court cases and publicized spats with his former team, newly minted Miami Dolphins wideout Brandon Marshall dealt with disrespect - from a 5-year-old.

On the first day of his camp in Lake Howell, Fla., Marshall met Nicholas Roman, a k a "Manmar," a feisty half-pint unfazed by Marshall's "star" quality. According to the Sun-Sentinel, of South Florida, an unruly Manmar was confronted by Marshall, who suggested he behave himself. The result?

"He just told me, 'Get out of my face!' " a stunned Marshall told the paper.

Retribution came moments later when Marshall, fed up with Manmar's antics, hoisted the kid up by his legs and held him upside down, much to the delight of other campers. Even Manmar's brother, 9-year-old Christian, was amused.

Ironically, the theme of the day at Marshall's camp? Listening.

He has yet to commit to an NBA team, but LeBron James committed to becoming a member of 21st-century social networking.

Yesterday, James relented on a longstanding dislike for Facebook and Twitter by joining the latter, under the name kingjames, confirmed by his publicist Keith Estabrook.

"Hello World, the real King James is in the building," was the first posting made at 4:15 yesterday. The post produced more than 90,000 followers in just 15 minutes. It's uncertain whether James or an associate is doing the posting, as LeBron has joked about it being a waste of time for athletes to air the details of their personal lives online. There are 90,000-plus who beg to differ, King James.

If you can stand the heat, you can snag some red-hot Philadelphia sports merchandise for cheap at the newly named Wells Fargo Center on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There also will be free parking, $1 hot dogs and appearances by Sixers mascot Hip-Hop and the Phillie Phanatic.

- Kerith Gabriel