Cavs want Shaq?

[crownsy]

Wow, that would be nuts. Lebron would have to get used to jumpshooting more (and slashing less).

The big fella clogs the lane. There would be a big adjustment... Lebron needs big shooters around him. Z, Smith and Wally were pretty awesome in the playoffs last year.

I doubt it happens, and i wouldn't be upset if it did.

Really?  Lebron driving and drawing a double team, then dishing the ball to Shaq at the basket doesn't scare you?  It should. 

Think of ther biggest weakness in the Cavs offense when Wallace is in.  Teams can leave Wallace to help on defense since Wallace can't even dunk properly anymore.  Shaq eliminates that problem

this is the exact same argument used to tell us how awesome it would be with him and amare/nash/shaq together. Shaq clogs the lane to a ridiculous degree because he's not agile anymore, it kills other slashers.

That said, this certainly makes an already scary team scarier.

[Who]

the cavs are close to panic mode at this point to get anything done

The Cavs should be panicking. This is a brilliant opportunity for them to hugely improve their odds of winning a Championship and they've wasted this opportunity for about two months now. Foolishness from the front office.

Cavs won't get desperate, they don't need to.  The cavs aren't the team looking to cut salary for next year to get under the tax.  Ferry will wait unitl 2:59 and 50 seconds just like last year if needs to.

I would love to know you think they have been foolish.  Ferry has been offering Wally all year.  You need another team to show interest

I think he's been too reluctant on trading Wally all year and overvaluing Wally's contributions to team, at the potential cost of a Championship.

Cleveland get a huge bump from adding a legit All-Star talent next to LeBron instead of Wally. That makes them the clear frontrunner ahead of the pack. This is a brilliant opportunity for them and so far Ferry has failed to take advantage of it.

[ManUp]

You mean they could turn Ben Wallace into Shaq, while keeping Big-Z?

Oh lord now that is scary.

[the_Bird]

The matchup issues scare the hell out of me.  I don't know Perk's specific numbers matched up against Shaq, but at least he's got the bulk to D him up - but who else?  Whether Powe's improved his D or not, he's giving up what, about a Rajon Rondo's worth of body mass matched up against Shaq.  BBD's got the mass and the low center of gravity, but if Shaq's got some of his little hook shots going, what the hell is BBD going to be able to do about it?  You can't put KG on him for any length of time.

If I'm Cleveland, I trade Wally for Shaq in an instant, he's just exactly the kind of player our frontcourt isn't well-equiped to handle.

[ChampKind]

If they can't find anyone else to take Wally, they could end up pulling the trigger on Shaq for Wally at about 2:59.  I'm not sure that makes them a more imposing team though...how will Shaq look after playing 2 rounds deep into the playoffs night in and night out?

[Mr October]

Wow, that would be nuts. Lebron would have to get used to jumpshooting more (and slashing less).

The big fella clogs the lane. There would be a big adjustment... Lebron needs big shooters around him. Z, Smith and Wally were pretty awesome in the playoffs last year.

I doubt it happens, and i wouldn't be upset if it did.

Really?  Lebron driving and drawing a double team, then dishing the ball to Shaq at the basket doesn't scare you?  It should. 

Think of ther biggest weakness in the Cavs offense when Wallace is in.  Teams can leave Wallace to help on defense since Wallace can't even dunk properly anymore.  Shaq eliminates that problem

this is the exact same argument used to tell us how awesome it would be with him and amare/nash/shaq together. Shaq clogs the lane to a ridiculous degree because he's not agile anymore, it kills other slashers.

That said, this certainly makes an already scary team scarier.

Yep, exactly. Their team would take a step backward, and might not be able to get the chemistry to mesh in time for the playoffs.

It is a gamble, where there are high benefits and losses. Who knows how things will tip. If it works, that team could be awesome.

Although, I think it is a a high certainty that Shaq has one more big injury in him that will put him on the sidelines sometime in the next year and a half.

[ManUp]

If they can't find anyone else to take Wally, they could end up pulling the trigger on Shaq for Wally at about 2:59.  I'm not sure that makes them a more imposing team though...how will Shaq look after playing 2 rounds deep into the playoffs night in and night out?

I would agree with you, but the Cavs are pretty deep. They would still have Wallace, Big-Z, Varejao if they gave up Wally. If they gave up Wallace they'd still have Big-Z and Varejao and would only need Shaq to play very short minutes. A tire Shaq is still a much better player than Ben Wallace.

[TatteredOnMySleeve]

The suns are pathetic

[cordobes]

If they get Jamison or Richard Jefferson it would be worse for us. I can't see their defence still being a top one with Z, Shaq and Mo Williams playing together.

I'd do this if I were the Suns.

[ManUp]

Wow, that would be nuts. Lebron would have to get used to jumpshooting more (and slashing less).

The big fella clogs the lane. There would be a big adjustment... Lebron needs big shooters around him. Z, Smith and Wally were pretty awesome in the playoffs last year.

I doubt it happens, and i wouldn't be upset if it did.

Really?  Lebron driving and drawing a double team, then dishing the ball to Shaq at the basket doesn't scare you?  It should. 

Think of ther biggest weakness in the Cavs offense when Wallace is in.  Teams can leave Wallace to help on defense since Wallace can't even dunk properly anymore.  Shaq eliminates that problem

this is the exact same argument used to tell us how awesome it would be with him and amare/nash/shaq together. Shaq clogs the lane to a ridiculous degree because he's not agile anymore, it kills other slashers.

That said, this certainly makes an already scary team scarier.

Anyone who understands basketball, and how the suns were playing knew that Shaq, and the suns wasn't a good fit. There were two different styles of play clashing, and Phoenix went away from where they excel. Even so, when D'Antoni was running the show it wasn't that bad. Their failures this year might have a lot to do with the coach. 

Shaq would work well in Cleveland's slow paced half-court game. If Wade and Shaq could work so could Lebron and Shaq. Even though Shaq isn't the same player it would be just about the same style of play.

[RAcker]

How many forums in the last week have been about who the Cavs want?  Apparently, they want everyone.   

[papa shuttlesworth]

(Preface: This post is from the viewpoint who is in complete awe of LeBron's talent but can't stand his personality and antics)

If I was LeBron James, I would veto the Shaq trade, even if it potentially costs me a championship.  I think LBJ wants to win and wants help, but not at the expense of becoming the Global Icon.  If he were to win a championship with Shaq, he goes from Greatest Ever/Global Icon discussion to lumped together with Penny/Kobe/Wade sidekick.  He risks winning a championship with Shaq and then possibly no championships after, and then he is just another Kobe Bryant (not that bad of company, but still...)  I think LeBron wants help, but is very selective of what kind of help it is.

[pearljammer10]

This would be devastating for the Celtics. This makes the Cavs the front runners easily. They would certainly be great fun to watch with both these guys on the court. I couldnt imagine the Cavs losing another game with Shaq in town.

[ManUp]

(Preface: This post is from the viewpoint who is in complete awe of LeBron's talent but can't stand his personality and antics)

If I was LeBron James, I would veto the Shaq trade, even if it potentially costs me a championship.  I think LBJ wants to win and wants help, but not at the expense of becoming the Global Icon.  If he were to win a championship with Shaq, he goes from Greatest Ever/Global Icon discussion to lumped together with Penny/Kobe/Wade sidekick.  He risks winning a championship with Shaq and then possibly no championships after, and then he is just another Kobe Bryant (not that bad of company, but still...)  I think LeBron wants help, but is very selective of what kind of help it is.

Kobe was the second fiddle know doubt about it. Shaq was the teams best player in those Laker championships run. He was in the prime of his career, and 3 time finals MVP.

Wade and Shaq were pretty equal, until the finals. Wade and Shaq took turns dominating, and it was both of their teams despite what Shaq would say. Wade was the best player in that finals, and won MVP.

Lebron would be the undoubted star of the team. Shaq isn't the dominant force he once was. Unless Lebrons play drops off there won't be anyone calling him second fiddle. If he can't win without Shaq (in the future) maybe he's just not that good.

[Who]

Tyson Chandler could be an interesting target for Cleveland. He could replace Ben Wallace contributions in the short term and give the Cavs a long term successor for Big Z.

I don't see the Cavs going after him though.