I'm not going to say that this gives the title to Cleveland, but boy that Cavs front office is doing all they can to either keep Lebron there or at least get a championship next year before he goes. Not sure they needed Shaq: they would likely be one of my faves to at least win the East next year even without him. But it sure doesn't hurt to have a HOF'er with 4 titles to his name on your team.
Holy Crap! I'm more amazed that a rumor actually came true for once, but the Cavs HAVE to be considered the favorites right now. They picked up Shaquile F'N Oneal for almost no impact to their tallent roster. I know this isnt the '00 version of O'Neal, but Shaq proved that there is still some Diesel left in the tank last season. If Shaq can show up in the type of condition he was in last season at least, the Cavs are going to be damn hard to beat. Now the Cleveland shooters are going to be freed up for wide open 3's all day long. Who do you double? If you double Shaq, LeBron is going to score at will, if you Double LeBron, Shaq will just pond whomever is guarding him. Also, has anyone heard about the status of Iilgauskas? If he is still on the roster, the Cavs will have a HUGE power edge every night. Plus, Anderson Varejao will probably blossom as a PF playing alongside Shaq. What about trying a hi-lo offense with Big Z and Shaq? Phil Jackson figured out that Shaq is an incredibly dangerous player when he sets up in the high post, although he's lost a step or 2 since then. Overall, I expect big things from the Cavs this year. I would not want to have to face the Lebron-Shaq combo for 7 games, it just seems like something that would be overwhelming for opposing defenders. I also think Shaq will be extra motivated this season by the combination of playing with the best player in the league, and seeing his best friend in the whole world Kobe Bryant win one without him this past season. I am pretty excited to see what kind of damage LeBron can do playing with an all-star caliber player(and a motivated Shaq is still an all-star calliber player). If your Cleveland, do you go for the jugular and make on offer to Hedo Turkoglu (although he's probably out of their price range), or try and acquire a deadly shooter to take advantage of the open looks or do you stand pat here? If some other contending team doesnt make a major move, and barring injury to a major player, the Cavs look like the team to beat!
Originally posted by i before eAlso, has anyone heard about the status of Iilgauskas? If he is still on the roster, the Cavs will have a HUGE power edge every night.
Z is signed for next year, but I don't know that I'd consider him anything in a 'power' category. If his shot is falling, he's good for trying to draw opposing centers out from the paint. I do have to wonder which of the two will actually start, though.
One rumor with Shaq that was floating around was that he was going to want an extension. I will be curious to see if that comes to pass, and if so, how that affects the 2010 plans.
If they get a shooting guard that will allow West to come off the bench, then I'll feel content for next season. I don't know if they have the ammo or ability to pull that off, though.
"As you may have read in Robert Parker's Wine Newsletter, 'Donaghy Estates tastes like the urine of Satan, after a hefty portion of asparagus.'" Jack Donaghy, 30 Rock
Funny thing about this trade: If they are healthy, the Celtics now match up better against Cleveland, because Perkins can bang on the box against Shaq instead of having to leave Z wide open at 20 feet. And, this just means Cleveland if forced to play more grind it out basketball instead of letting LeBron play in transition more.
Originally posted by BigDaddyLocoI'm not sure this is exactly what Lebron needs.
This is what I'm thinking. Even if the Cavs make it all the way to the NBA finals next year and WIN, what happens then? Shaq is getting $20million next season in the final year of his contract and I think he hangs it up after that (he suggested as much a couple years ago). But even if he decides to come back, does he expect to get another $20mil? No one is gonna give him an extension that high. So does he "settle" for $15mil? $10mil? $5mil? I dont think so.
But either way, is this move supposed to keep LeBron around after 2010? He's only, what, 23-24? This isnt the type of a move I would expect from a winning team trying to keep their hot young star happy. This is the type of thing I would expect an older "it's now or never" team to pull, like San Antonio, Dallas, Phoenix, etc.
Weird move on Cleveland's part. I'm curious to see how this plays out.
Why would you forego more money than most of us make in 10-15 years for an additional year of work?
If it comes down to Pride, I dunno - I guess it just confuses me.
If I had one opportunity right now to make $1 million for the next one year of work I could do, I'd have to think long and hard before I turned it down. Why does that become insulting once you've been paid more?
I've always thought that being a 12th man on an NBA team would be the best job ever. A six-figure salary to ride the pine all season and cheer my team on? Sign me up!
Originally posted by RecklessEricSo,I have to ask....Why wasn't this trade made in February? Really what changed between then and now?
Easy - they got drummed out of the playoffs by Orlando.
Frosty - this move is made to go for broke for next year only. After that in 2010, the Cavs will have gobs and gobs of space under the cap. The idea is that Chris Bosh or Yao Ming are going to trip over themselves to sign here (riiiight), then LeBron will re-sign for a max extension. After that, who knows who else will be left to surround them with?
Interesting article on Sportsline talking about how LBJ could actually make more money contractually by extending this summer, but that it's still unlikely it won't happen until after the season.
rsn - You know, they can still play Z against Perkins this year.
"As you may have read in Robert Parker's Wine Newsletter, 'Donaghy Estates tastes like the urine of Satan, after a hefty portion of asparagus.'" Jack Donaghy, 30 Rock
Originally posted by RecklessEricSo,I have to ask....Why wasn't this trade made in February? Really what changed between then and now?
Easy - they got drummed out of the playoffs by Orlando.
Frosty - this move is made to go for broke for next year only. After that in 2010, the Cavs will have gobs and gobs of space under the cap. The idea is that Chris Bosh or Yao Ming are going to trip over themselves to sign here (riiiight), then LeBron will re-sign for a max extension. After that, who knows who else will be left to surround them with?
Interesting article on Sportsline talking about how LBJ could actually make more money contractually by extending this summer, but that it's still unlikely it won't happen until after the season.
rsn - You know, they can still play Z against Perkins this year.
The Celtics could now put Garnett on Z outside while Perkins plays Shaq down low if they decide to go big. If they decide to give Z more minutes on the court by himself in big games, then Shaq will go pouting that he should be playing. Plus, if there is about 7 minutes to go in the 4th quarter of a playoff game and it appears Lebron is ready to put the team on his shoulders, you play Hack a Shaq for a possession or 2 to stem the tide. Now, if Cleveland had made this trade with Phoenix for Amare, I'd think they would definitely be the chalk for several years, as you would have a dynamic combination in place for several years.
If the Cavs win the title next year, and Shaq plays a major role, this'll be considered quite the steal. If not, it's full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
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I think this was a smart move by Cleveland; Big Z has played a good role as a good center but is not the intimidating force Shaq is. Now Cleveland has someone to match up against Dwight and other big men in the East. In addition, Shaq helps LeBron carry the load along with Mo Williams. Shaq loves to score in the paint and so does LeBron; if either man is double-teamed, you have the option of passing to the other person or let Mo Williams take care of some of the scoring load.