Shaq traded to Cavs

[scootman]

do you think with this deal in place it might bait ainge into doing a deal?

[BrickJames]

It has probably been said already, but Shaq shall henceforth be known as:



The Big Witness

[Rondo2287]

So how does this affect clevelands ability to sign free agents this summer?

[housecall]

i think it's a bigger deal than people on this forum seem to be making it out to be.

Shaq isn't an MVP candidate anymore, but he is still solid.

When given the minutes last year he proved he could still be a 20, 10 and 2 guy.

For the season he averaged 17.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in only 30 minutes... with 61% FG...

One thing that was extremely clear in these playoffs was that Dwight HOward was dominant, but a limited offensive player.  When matched up with a guy his own size (Perk) he was unable to do anything. He basically was shut down by Perk, because he couldn't back down Perk and he had no moves to do anything against Perk.   I don't know of any specific head-to-head stats of Shaq vs Dwight, but I'd expect the same.  Dwight made a fool of the Cavs big men... I don't think Dwight would have done that if Shaq was defending him.
 

The last regular season game that the Suns played in Orlando,Dwight punished Shaq like he stole something...remember Shaq started flopping and got into a media argument with Stan Van Gundy?Stan said that he was shocked to see Shaq flopping and Shaq called him the "master of panic"?Howard treated Shaq like he owned him in the paint.


However,i think this will make the cavs frontcourt better but they will need to add a couple more pieces to make it workout the way they want it to.They need to get bigger in their backcourt as well.           

[ACF]

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2009/06/24/20090624shaqtrade-CR.html

The Suns have traded Shaquille O'Neal to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, a second round pick, and $500,000.

The deal is expected to be finalized and announced Thursday morning.

wow.

Wow indeed.

I guess Stern really wants a Cavs
vs Lakers matchup next year 

I imagine this motivates the C's
and especially KG even more.

[ACF]

It has probably been said already, but Shaq shall henceforth be known as:



The Big Witness

Maybe he can teach LBJ how
to be a good loser when we
oust the Cavs in the ECF.

[celticinorlando]

this will not help the cavs in my opinion...at all

[ACF]

this will not help the cavs in my opinion...at all

Yes, it will:

Maybe he can teach LBJ how
to be a good loser when we
oust the Cavs in the ECF.

 

[Fafnir]

this will not help the cavs in my opinion...at all

Why is that? Shaq is still better than Ben Wallace and a 3 who didn't even play in their rotation.

Does it "put them over the top", no. Mainly because they're already a contender with just LeBron. Definite upgrade, it just remains to see if they'll find another long wing to match up with Hedo/Rashard.

[celticinorlando]

let me rephrase....boston healthy beats this cleveland team..

[Fafnir]

let me rephrase....boston healthy beats this cleveland team..

I think so too, but it'll be close again if we do meet healthy. This doesn't make them worse by any means.

[JSD]

So how does this affect clevelands ability to sign free agents this summer?

It doesn't, in terms of free agency the Cavs still have the full MLE, LLE and min contracts to offer. It all depends on how much luxury tax the ownership is willing to spend, but they were in LT area before the trade went down.

[Fafnir]

So how does this affect clevelands ability to sign free agents this summer?

It doesn't, in terms of free agency the Cavs still have the full MLE, LLE and min contracts to offer. It all depends on how much luxury tax the ownership is willing to spend, but they were in LT area before the trade went down.

If they re-sign Sideshow Bob to a decent sized contract they won't be able to spend the MLE without setting up a way to clear Boobie's salary if they want to get two max FAs.

[celticinorlando]

anderson wants the entire MLE

[Fafnir]

anderson wants the entire MLE

He's a bird FA, his price is not limited by the MLE for the Cavs. They can re-sign him and spend the MLE, if they're willing to find a way to dump Boobie.