Arizona Republic: SHAQ to CLEVELAND??

[OG Hack Wilson]

guess it's coming back to fruition 

[PLANT]

that would be something if Shaq went to the Cavs and ended up winning a title alongside LeBron...

[PLANT]

Shaq Headed to Cleveland? by Randy Lutz

June 14, 2009


This morning it's being reported that Shaq being traded from the Suns to the Cavs is looking more and more likely. The Cavs would send Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic to the Suns and would receive O'Neal in return.

Essentially, with Wallace's possible retirement leaving the possibility of a buyout and the fact that Pavlovic is only owed $1.5 million this season if cut, this trade would bring a great deal of salaray cap relief to the Suns and could help push the Cavs over the hump they seemed to reach in the Eastern Conference Finals.

As a fan of basketball in general and not so much a particular team, I'm extremely excited about this possibility. Bringing the experience and power of Shaquille O'Neal to Cleveland to pair up with LeBron James would be amazing; it would almost certainly lock up a title in Cleveland in 2010, the last year on James' current contract. In addition, lining up Zydrunas Ilgauskus and Shaquille O'Neal side-by-side would be a huge frontcourt, as the two seven-footers would intimdate all. Of course, Big Z's knock is that he doesn't play the post well, but the presence of Shaq in that lineup would take care of that. This is, of course presuming that Shaq played as effectively as he did last season.

Author Poll
Will trading for Shaq bring a title to Cleveland?

 Yes, pull the trigger on the trade today!  I'm not sure yet...  No! What are they thinking???  It doesn't matter what they do, I'm a Kobe fan and won't ever admit the Cavs could beat him  vote to see results I have to say, however, I don't know that this is the wisest move for the Cavaliers in the long term. Sure, they could finally get a 'chip for a sports-success-starved city, but this wouldn't really contribute to future runs, now would it? Shaq is far from a young talent, and is clearly on the downside of his career. Adding him looks good in the present, but what about beyond next season?

In terms of preparing for down the road, I would much prefer to see the Cavaliers chase a younger post player, perhaps Al Jefferson or maybe even Zach Randolph; they need someone that you can get many more years out of.

So while this move may be the push the Cavs to finally get that elusive title, it is also clearly a move made out of desperation. They're trying to ensure a title for one year, hoping and praying that that is enough to convince LeBron to stick around.

Now, if you've seen any of my other comments or articles, you know that I believe that winning a title in Cleveland before his contract is up works against LeBron staying in Cleveland, but it appears that I'm the only one of that opinion, so we'll have to wait and see the long-term ramifications of this trade should it occur.

[Chamillitary Click]

LOL!!!

Shaq is on a mission to BEAT L.A.!

i would die laughing if he brings them a ring & then maybe another one, naw mean?

[OG Hack Wilson]

that would be something if Shaq went to the Cavs and ended up winning a title alongside LeBron...

and then Lebron goes to NY the next offseason to play with D-wade LOL

[PLANT]

that would be something if Shaq went to the Cavs and ended up winning a title alongside LeBron...

and then Lebron goes to NY the next offseason to play with D-wade LOL

I think the possibilties of LeBron playing in New York with Chris Bosh are more likely

[teecee]

NOt the best longterm addition for the Cavs, but its a good trade for Pavlovic and Wallace (although their contracts are up after this year while Shaq has two still).

Two things:  IF, and that is a HUGE if as Cleveland still has mad holes and I don't see how Shaq fits really, but IF the Cavs won, you just know Laker fans would say this:


1)  Lebron can't win a title without Shaq, but Kobe could

2)  Shaq is now known as the "Big Coat tail" for hitching a ride with Kobe, Wade, and Lebron


Would be mad funny, but too predictable


Still, i don't like the trade a whole lot, the Cavs could do something better with 20 mllion worth of expiring contreacts

[Teddy Roosevelt]

Shaq is on his last leg. What makes people think he could help bring LeBron a championship?

["THE" MoSav]

Shaq is on his last leg. What makes people think he could help bring LeBron a championship?

and how he would completly screw up lebrons game by clogging up the paint. I dont see this working as well as people think. Still wouldnt beat the Lakers in 7...

[S P I C E]

Shaq is on his last leg. What makes people think he could help bring LeBron a championship?

Did you watch Shaq play this year? Dude had a great year, he is not done yet.

[OG Hack Wilson]

that would be something if Shaq went to the Cavs and ended up winning a title alongside LeBron...

and then Lebron goes to NY the next offseason to play with D-wade LOL

I think the possibilties of LeBron playing in New York with Chris Bosh are more likely

Bosh is probably going to Detroit

mark my words (only if my prediction is right )

[Chamillitary Click]

Shaq is on his last leg. What makes people think he could help bring LeBron a championship?

Did you watch Shaq play this year? Dude had a great year, he is not done yet.

[Teddy Roosevelt]

Shaq is on his last leg. What makes people think he could help bring LeBron a championship?

Did you watch Shaq play this year? Dude had a great year, he is not done yet.

Playing 30 minutes. I doubt he could keep that up next year. He'll still be effective, but he's not getting the Cavs over the top.

[teecee]

Shaq is on his last leg. What makes people think he could help bring LeBron a championship?

Did you watch Shaq play this year? Dude had a great year, he is not done yet.

Playing 30 minutes. I doubt he could keep that up next year. He'll still be effective, but he's not getting the Cavs over the top.

Shaq definitely isn't the answer to the Cavs problems as they have many, but he would be an improvement on what they have in the post right now.   

Ilgauskas is their only decent offensive post, but he is at least as slow as Shaq and can't defend at all.  Shaq is better than him.

Varejao is a flopper, but can be decent OFF THE BENCH.  Shaq is better than him.

Joe Smith?  Shaq is better than him,  Smith is too small to defend the paint.

Wallace?  Old, washed up, even more so than Shaq.   Shaq is far  better than him.


I hope the Cavs somehow get Boozer, and an athletic wing who can defend, but I wouldn't be mad if they got SHaq, as long as he can avoid injury trouble.  There is no way he talks shit about Lebron, that much I know. 

All in all, Shaq doesn't seem to fit in that he clogs the same lane that Lebron drives into play after play.  Lebron better work on his jumper (which isn't as bad as people think, its just mad streaky). 

[Hatesrats™]

Fisrt off I love Shaq... Been my dude since jump.
Would be interesting, But does putting him w/LeBron solidify his Robin status? (Not Batman Superman)

I mean check it..
Hardaway
Bryant
Wade
Nash
James?