SHAQ to Cleveland

[Bodz]

And this is what Dwight Howard commented on Shaq's trade to Cleveland

Looks like Cleveland just traded for big Shaq in order to try and stop me next season," wrote Howard

Howard: Cavs Got Shaq To Try And Stop Me

Wonder if the match up between these 2 teams will get physical given Shaq's previous comments on Howard.

[Angelo]

Now we can see on whos better between the two.

[Lamrock]

Well its obviously Howard.

[Patr1ck]

Well...who's better right now. Obviously Shaq was better when he was 24.

[Andrew]

Interesting that Howard finally joined in the war of words. Mind you, it was more a commentary on last season's Cavs team than Shaq's ability to still match up with him.

[Stress Fracture]

Wow, the verbal war is getting to be hotter.

[Andrew]

Mind you, according to Mark Jackson it won't make a difference for Cleveland.

[Stress Fracture]

I think so. Their frontcourt is getting old.

[Andrew]

Who, Cleveland's? LeBron will turn 25 during next season and Anderson Varejao will be 27. Granted, Shaq will be 38 by the end of next season but if he plays like he did last season that's excellent production for a player his age. They might not be able to contend for years but for a season at least they're in pretty good shape to say the least, health permitting.

[Sauru]

all or nothing deal really, they want to keep lebron they damn well better win this year. i miss the days of player loyalty, now we talk about them leaving years in advance

[raptorsdynasty33]

all or nothing deal really, they want to keep lebron they damn well better win this year. i miss the days of player loyalty, now we talk about them leaving years in advance

I think Bruce Bowen and Oberto wouldn't want to hear about loyalty right now.

[wabenne]

I can't believe some people don't see the beauty of this trade first off the Cavs had the best record in the NBA with the team they had last year, now you just added 17points and 8 rebounds to that team, not to mention somone as big as Shaq that automactially affects the game because of his size.

Secondly you got rid of dead weight because Wallace was hurt all season and didn't give any offensive help/ Sasha really didn't play at all

Thirdly now if this is the Line up Mo, West, Bron, Anderson, Shaq now you can arguably make a claim that this lineup is one of the top 3 in the league if not the best considering they have the best player, but then you have Z coming off the bench so you have scoring off the bench and even in his age everyone has to admit that Z off the bench is better then most centers who come off the bench in the league. You have Joe Smith/Hickson that can give good minutes at the PF and provid both offense and defense/ you have boobie who can provide a spark

Fourthly because you have the Twin Towers in Z and Shaq they X out eachothes age they both can play around 20 min keeping them healthy throughout the season

Fifth-check this out. Without Shaq this were the averages of the starting 5: Mo 17, West 11, Bron 28, Andy 8, Z 12 that equals 76 points from you starting 5, Now take Z out of the line up and put Shaq stats and you have Mo 17, West 11, Bron 28, Andy 8, Shaq 17 equals 81 and now you have Z's 12 coming off the bench if not more considering the fact that Z will get the ball more coming off the bench then starting. Shaq honestly we'll probably get more then 17 being that Lebron's driving ability and the constant double and triple teams that he gets that nash didn't get Shaq will be the recepient of so many assist

Finally-Of course we need another piece, I've heard Rasheed Wallace, Matt Barnes and some others but truth be told everyone knows with that one more piece and Shaq as long as we stay healthy Cavs no doubt on Paper have the championship

[benji]

I think Bruce Bowen and Oberto wouldn't want to hear about loyalty right now.

Bowen wanted out, and Oberto's probably headed back.

[Andrew]

all or nothing deal really, they want to keep lebron they damn well better win this year. i miss the days of player loyalty, now we talk about them leaving years in advance

It works both ways though, there's impatience on both sides. At the risk of throwing out a broad generalisation, Sometimes it seems if a team doesn't win it all within a year or two, the stars want out and the team wants to overhaul its roster.

[NovU]

Yeah. There were times when the player meant so big for the franchise, like Reggie to Pacers, Ewing to Knicks, Jordan to Bulls, Malone and Stockton to Jazz and so on. I guess, impatience on both the management and players are the factors as well as fans in some ways. People want to see a winning team, and want to see trades if it doesn't go too well so...

[Andrew]

Owners too, I would imagine. There's certainly a lot of pressure to improve and succeed which breeds impatience. I suppose that's always been there and it's not like everyone was fiercely loyal in the "good old days", but in some cases both sides stuck it out longer.

[Patr1ck]

They should have made a trade with the Clippers for Camby or Randolph

[shadowgrin]

Kaman's contract runs past 2010. While Camby's ends next season in time for the 2010 FA bonanza though, there's nothing much he can really add to Cleveland compared to Shaq.

[Andrew]

Apparently Shaq's going back to his college number of 33 with the Cavs, the first time he's worn that number in the pros (outside being presented with a #33 Orlando jersey at the 1992 Draft) for whatever that's worth.

[Mayerhendrix]

During the brief interview on ESPN he said he'd be willing to come off the bench if that's what they wanted but also indicated a preference to start and if he can maintain the same level of play he did last season, he's still too good and effective as a starting centre in the NBA to be in a more limited role off the bench. So right now, I'd have to say Ilgauskas will be moved aside and to the bench.

Cleveland just needs to make sure that they can keep Shaq in good health for late-game situations in the playoffs. The current rotation that they used this year was putting a lot of long-term risk on Lebron James' health...

[Andrew]

How so? His playing time wasn't that different to other star players past and present at the same point in their careers.

[shadowgrin]

Cleveland just needs to make sure that they can keep Shaq in good health for late-game situations in the playoffs.

That's the beauty of having Z. They can rest Shaq if there are back to back games and they still have Z to start for them, if that's the case. Giving minutes to Shaq will rest Z and vice-versa.

[kevin02]

I'm a huge cavs fan and I love this trade! Shaq might be old but Howard still can't push him around. Now when they play Orlando Howard won't need to be double teamed. Also Shaq won't niss wide open dunks like Ben wallace did. And Sasha really didn't have a spot in the cavs rotation anyway. So really it's like the Cavs traded an old ben wallace for an old shaq. And for some people that say shaq will clog up the lane and Lebron won't be able to drive. That wasn't a problem for Wade and Kobe who both won championships with Shaq.

[Kite]

This is a simple move of the Cavs trying to win the title before LeBron goes to NY.

They're saying to themselves "If LeBron is leaving, lets make a run for the title this season."

I expect to see one more trade for the 2 spot and they'll be fierce.

[Andrew]

That's assuming LeBron going to New York is a foregone conclusion. I don't think it's just about winning a title before LeBron is a free agent and can freely leave the Cavs, but winning one (or at least coming close) so that he doesn't leave when he becomes a free agent. He may end up leaving the Cavs, he wouldn't be the first high profile free agent to leave a title contender that drafted him first overall some years prior after all, but I still think the Cavs have got a better chance of keeping him than is often suggested.