Thursday, June 25th, 2009 at 9:00 am  |  136 responses

The Shaq Effect in Cleveland

by Marcel Mutoni

For David Stern and the League, there absolutely couldn’t be a better scenario. On the eve of one of the lamest drafts ever, Cleveland and Phoenix have just pulled off a huge trade, potentially setting up two of the biggest television spectacles of all time for the NBA: Christmas Day (this is sort of inevitable, isn’t it?) and perhaps the 2010 NBA Finals against Kobe and the Lakeshow.

Before the latter can happen, though, a lot has to go right for the Cavs. Their super-duper stars have to co-exist, and O’Neal must accept that this is LBJ’s show — Shaq, set to earn $20 mil in the last year of his current deal, is but a member of the LeBronnaires now.

The Plain Dealer breaks down how this changes the Cavs’ makeup:

Shaq will now be the Cavs starting center, which means for the first time in a decade Zydrunas Ilgauskas will move out of that role and come off the bench.

The Cavs are not done. They still are going to be looking for a wing defender (or two) and I think also a stretch power forward, aka a player who can go out to the 3-point line. This is why I believe they will still consider signing Rasheed Wallace with their mid-level exception. You need to surround Shaq with shooters and stretch the floor, just like you do with LeBron.

Defensively there is a bigger question mark. There is no doubt that Shaq is a worse pick-and-roll defender than Z is at this point in their careers. But he’s also a lot bigger and takes up more space. He can also be counted on to defend a player like Dwight Howard 1-on-1.

Lots to think about.

The Cavs know LeBron is desperate to win a title next season before he becomes an unrestricted free agent; they’re even more desperate to keep him happy. This should do the trick … maybe. Either way, they will undoubtedly be the most fascinating team to watch next season.

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  • http://www.manutd.com Z

    Myles: 1- How can this be a lateral move?! Shaq for Ben and Sasha. I repeat: Shaq for Ben and freaking Sasha. 2- Bron can ALWAYS bounce. That’s why we call it free agency. The move was made to win next year without jeopardizing their cap. They can still sign Bron and another superstar next summer. That was the plan then, it’s still the plan now 3- No moves can guarantee a ‘ship. That’s why they play the games. 4- Are you really suggesting that they should trade Bron before he hits free agency? I’m going to ask this as respectfully as I can. ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FREAKING MIND??!?!?!

  • http://www.slamonline.com Myles Brown

    I understand that other teams make moves, but they make moves that align with their philosophy. The Cavs have no philosophy, they seem to just be grasping at straws. What is this teams identity? And Im not saying that they should trade him now, but the clock is ticking, the pressure is mounting and while they may not do it, its certainly going to cross their mind at some point if things arent looking good.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Myles Brown

    And trading the players in question isnt a lateral move, but looking at presently constituted team as opposed to the team we just saw in May, I dont see anything closer to championship team. And that is the goal, no?

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Why would another team give Cleveland a bunch of good players for Lebron when they have no guarantee that he would resign?
    Who makes that trade?
    And, if Cleveland is not getting back bonafide studs, why trade Lebron?
    I can’t see it Myles.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Myles
    Last year, they were two players away. And they won 60 games.
    Right now, they are one decent swingman away from being the best team in their conference on paper.
    True or false.

  • trick..

    IF they get a ring.. shaq would be all like ‘lebron couldnt get a ring without me’ and we’re back to the beginning again..

  • http://www.manutd.com Z

    What is LA’s identity? How did it change when they traded for Pau? Eff that identity rethoric, the point is to get better and work on your weaknesses. San Antonio needed athleticism on the wings, they went and got that. Cleveland had issues to addrees on the block, they went and did that. / Myles, if you don’t see how having an actual low post threat who they can dump the ball to and who’s also able to defend 1vs1 against the post (therefore cutting down on the open 3s that Cleveland gave away) brings them closer to a championship… then there’s really no point in debating this. What you WOULDN’T have traded Ben and Sasha for Shaq if you were Danny Ferry? Please.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Myles Brown

    I understand that the other team would have leverage, Im just saying that its a consideration to take if theres a growing suspicion that Bron may leave, in which case theyd get nothing. Its not a certainty, just something to be considered, even if only for a minute. As to your other question, I dunno, maybe. Depends on the moves Boston and Orlando make. Boston still has one good run left in them and Orlando is still matchup hell for them. Itll be interesting.

  • http://lamarcusaldridge.com Dean[The Best]

    two words: Holy Sh!t

  • http://www.slamonline.com Myles Brown

    LA’s identity is in the triangle, no matter how much or less often they run it. Bostons identity is in defense, KG or no KG. Orlandos identity is in their shooters and D12′s defense, Jameer or no Jameer. Clevelands identity is to hope that Bron can do absolutely everything. I havent said once that I wouldnt make that trade, I have said that its not the missing piece to a title. Well see.

  • http://www.manutd.com Z

    Myles is just talking now. Seriously. I stopped reading after he suggested that they should maybe consider trading Bron. It’s not worth considering. Not even for a minute. Get real. What would be equal trade value?! Kobe?! If they can’t re-sign him might as well throw a max deal at another FA. What do they gain by trading him before he hits free agency? Absurd.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Myles
    You are being a little specious in your arguments.
    Cleveland has an identity, it’s defense. Mike Brown built the team defensively like the Spurs. I remember you arguing not to long ago that folks were giving Lebron too much credit for “carrying” the Cavs because they were undersestimating how great a defensive team Cleveland had. So, their identity begins and ends with defense.
    That said, their defense was killed by Orlando. People point to the pick and roll, and that was a problem.
    But, in my opinion that bigger problem was that they had to double team Dwight Howard, which gave Orlando great looks and messed up the Cav’s rotation. Dwight struggled against every team that single covered him. And all of those series were close. The Cavs doubled him, and they got rocked.
    I understand your concern with the trade and they are valid concerns given Shaq’s history. There is no guarantee that this will work out and Lebron may get pissed.
    But, staying pat was not an option, and I really dont’ see another trade the Cavs could have made that would have worked like this one.
    The traded two Nothing players, for a starting center and they didn’t sacrifice any cap space to do that.
    How could they NOT make this trade?
    Anyway, I doubt we will come to a meeting of the minds on this, so it’s silly to keep going back and forth.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Myles Brown

    I cant say enough that Im fine with the trade in terms of talent and cap space. Do it, why the hell not? But I get skeptical when rings are being discussed. And the Lakers were stuck between the same rock and a hard place two years ago. Granted ‘his’ videotaped tirades and radio appaearances had much to do with it and I doubt Bron would do something like that. But an unhappy player is still an unhappy player and were it not for ‘his’ no trade clause hed be a Bull or a Maverick right now. Its a player with no equal trade value and the Lakers almost bent to his will because they were afraid that he wouldnt resign and they had to get something for him. Bron doesnt have to go public for Cleveland to get the same feeling. Now whether it actually happens is another matter entirely.

  • Peter

    LA’s identity is the triangle around Kobe Bryant. I think Myles’ point is having a system in place and fit players into that system. Their identity didn’t change with Pau, they were doing the same things with Chris Mihm in the middle as they are now, he is obviously just a hell of a lot more productive. Same can be said for Phoenix…they built a team around the run and gun style and when they got rid of D’Antoni and tried to change their identity it was a failure. That said, I think this is a good move for Cleveland, at least for this coming season. There’s no way it makes them worse. And who knows what the diesel will bring. One things for sure he certainly has a knack for getting traded to teams with legendary wing players.

  • Josh D

    Wow. Next yearis going to be awesome with the Lakers,Cavs,Spurs and Magic all competing for a ring and if the Spurs or Cavs go for Sheed, even better.

  • http://slamonline.com Spaceship Jay

    You know from reading your post just now Allen, I have to say that they may have been the most intelligent post concerning this topic yet. I’m a little puzzled by many’s sudden shouting of Cavs for the finals.

  • http://antwonomous.blogspot.com Antwonomous
  • http://www.slamonline.com Myles Brown

    I know how it affected Michael Jackson…

  • Prison Mike

    ^Inappropriate, although it did make me laugh. So, when is slam gonna post about Vince going to the Magic for Skip?

  • http://nbainchina.com NBA China

    Shaq will have now played with Wade, Kobe and LeBron. Both Wade and Kobe got a ring playing with him, can LeBron match it?

  • Rnz

    Z : 4- The Cavs never had a low post threat. You need a low post threat to win it all. (Yes, MJ was a low post threat, as well as a perimeter threat, he was threat as soon as he parked his car in the arena)
    LOL…couldnt have agree more

  • breont williams

    personally i like amare and turkgolu or tyson chandler and rasheed. shaq will help but them other choke artists, dont bet on them.

  • breont williams

    orlando will never ever shoot like again. what 23% against the lakers. boston is done!
    shaq and bron will get their rings
    shaq will ride off into the sunset the 3rd best center ever
    lamar odom and rasheed wallace will join cleveland in 09/10 NBA evolution!
    ya heard it hear 1st!

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    Come on down to Cleveland town everyone,
    Come and look at both of our buildings,
    Get some food prepared by the street,
    Who knows you might even see this guy?

  • BigMoney

    I think you guys are forgetting Orlando… Check the other news on the wire…

  • aotearaw

    Wow, please stop digging Myles…Allenp is on point here.

  • doyouwantmore

    Let’s be honest. This is a media-saturated society and the Lebron speculation is getting ridiculous. Let’s take a look at Lebreezy from a straight-up honest perspective.

    1. Ego: He’s a super-hero in Ohio, his hometown, regardless of who he plays for. In a global society one city means nothing and Lebron is looking to be a global icon. The local-hero instinct has been pacified. He would be a global hero if he played for the Mercury.

    2. Dough: Lebron wants money. He’s been pretty clear about that. He’s spoken as much, if not more about being a ‘global icon’ as he has about winning a ring. Let’s face it. Lebron assumes he’s going to win chips. Bye bye Ohio.

    3. Lebron has taken a once-in-a-generation talent and turned it into first douchebaggery.

    4. Kobe is the result of the ‘who’s going to be the next Jordan?’ phenomenon and nothing more.

    5. Carmelo Anthony is somewhere between superstardom and obscurity.

    6. Chauncey Billups deserves a couple of Steve Nash’s MVP awards.

  • riggs

    @doyouwantmore: i want more posts from you in the future.

  • JP

    i agree with what some of the people said on their comment, that SHAQ is gonna clog the paint and limit LeBron’s drive. like what Z said, LeBron can play for since he’s big and strong enough, plus no one can keep up with him since he’s just gonna blow by ‘em! and if they really are lookin’ for a four then they should go with CV31 since he has shown interest to play in cleveland. sheed is too old already and his attitude is too much of a problem! plus they need another back court defender who can help LeBron out. Delonte West was the second best defender on team last year. i would lyk to see Danny Ferry go after Ron Artest!

  • http://http//www.youtube.com The Promise

    doyouwantmore has some good points there. I feel like Cleveland will be a better team next year, no doubt, but I dont think they will be good enough to beat Boston with a healthy Garnett, unless they get Rasheed. That is the missing piece. You put his scoring abilty with Shaq’s dominating presense in the post together, you have one heck of a team. It would be difficult for any team to beat that. Orlando will be even better if they find a way to keep Hedo. Regardless, the NBA will be really fun to watch next year. You have alot of up and coming teams, then you have the big time teams. L.A. is still the team to beat, but there will be alot of teams that are hot on their trail.

  • Ralph ‘chaps’ Rodriguez

    Lebron is at the front of line in wanting his ring he can’t assume anything he sort of like kobe was before winning it all without shaq..lebron is a young stud still and time is on his side but if doesn’t get his in ’10 more likely than not he gonna bail.

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  • http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2009/06/the-shaq-effect-in-cleveland/ lebron james

    go the cavs you have a great team they will go all the way this season L23 you are legandary :) :) :):):):):):)

  • http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2009/06/the-shaq-effect-in-cleveland/ lebron james

    Go the cavs, they will go all the way this season,lebron james you are legandary :)
    :)
    :)
    :)
    :)
    :)
    :)
    :)

  • http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2009/06/the-shaq-effect-in-cleveland/ lebron james

    shaq in the team,…….
    rock on:):):):):)

  • nkscouting

    Neither Rasheed Wallace, Shaquille O’Neal, nor Zydrunas Ilgauskas can guard Dwight Howard. So none of them are the answer! They’re all too old, for one thing.

    Not sure if this even makes Cleveland a better team: maybe a little better, but then the chemistry will be different, especially if they add Rasheed Wallace.

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