Is Shaq a problem in Cleveland?

[Chris]

It seems like this has become a common theme already this season.  The idea that Shaq is not a good fit with the Cavs.  After seeing them play, I think it is clear that they are not as efficient as they can be...however, I would like to argue the case that Shaq is not the problem. 

Despite what some may tell you, Shaq is still a very good player.  The problem with him is though, you need to have him with the right players.  The problem with the Cavs is not Shaq, it is the lack of a true, perimeter big man. 

To me, one of the most interesting things last night was seeing Shaq and Z on the floor together at the end of the game.  While I think it is clear that that will be a dangerous combination, once teams start trying to exploit them with speed, it was also clearly the best offensive setup they had. 

Andy Varajao and Shaq simply should not be on the floor together.  Andy does not have a strong enough perimeter game offensively to compliment Shaq.  All he does is clog the lane even more, making it more difficult for Shaq, and Lebron to work. 

When Z was out there with Shaq, it was different.  Z brought the second big man out of the lane, allowing Shaq more room to work 1 on 1 (unfortunately, Perk has his number...but there are not many Perk's out there), and allowing more room for Lebron to slash to the hoop.

So the obvious solution to me is that the Cavs NEED to go after a perimeter big man, who can draw the defense out of the key, while also providing active defense against some of the more athletic big men in the league.  This is what worries me as a C's fan.  Sure, Jackson would improve their team, but if they managed to get a more versatile big man to pair with Shaq, then they will be really scary.

[RAcker]

Good topic, Chris, but I still think it's too early to tell.  As you point out, the big question is chemistry.  It is obvious from last night's game that LeCrab doesn't trust what he has around him fully yet. 

It was a lot of 1 on 5 when the Cavs fell behind.  Early in the game, they were moving the ball and Shaq and others were contributing.  As the Celtics clawed back and eventually took a nice lead, the rest of the Cavs looked over to Daddy for help while they stood there stunned.

In time we'll see if this changes.  If it doesn't, then I'd say that there is a chemistry problem not only with Shaq, but will all of the new pieces in Cleveland.

[the_Bird]

I missed a chunk of the middle of the game (unfortunately, the part where we extended the lead).

Why did Shaq only have ten points last night?  Early on, he looked unstoppable.  Did they stop throwing the ball into him, was he tired, or was it Perk's D?

I do think their biggest weakness is going to be against teams with big men who can shoot, and we've got at least three who are very good (plus Scal, and they say Sherwin-Williams can play the pick-and-pop).  If Rasheed is hitting his jumpers, Shaq's going to be irrelevant because they aren't going to be able to keep him on the floor.

[Donoghus]

I don't necesarily think that Shaq is the big problem that Cleveland is having right now.  I think lack of depth and chemistry/cohesiveness are the problems right now.

You have a bunch of new guys out there trying to fit in a system where Lebron is the key.  I thought Anthony Parker kinda looked lost out there last night.  However, to an extent, the more time together as a unit, will help define his role as well as the others.  Personally, they should get themselves a legit swingman/playmaker rather than have all these perimeter shooters.  

The bench seemed to be the glaring issue last night.  The Celtics depth really showed in that 2nd quarter and Cleveland's 2nd unit just didn't look good at either end of the floor.

I think Chris hits the nail on the head about the Varajao/Shaq combination.  No cohesiveness there.  They really don't need the Varajao type out there when Shaq is on the court.  Things definitely got clogged up down low.  They need to spread. I thought Shaq looked alright out there last night.  The big guy can still pass and I thought he was decent on the defensive end.  I don't forsee him as the big problem or developing into a big problem.

[crownsy]

I think it changes thier game to one that doesn't play to LBJ strengths as much as having gotten a superior wing/ athletic power forward would.


Lebron is at his scariest when his team is running. He is a force on the break, heck even a semi break, because of his ability to overpower people going to the rim and his vision to find others.

In the half court, shaq can help them a bit, though i question how his lack of a mid range game will affect the lanes lebron sees. I'm not sure Z is the answer to that for the reasons you articulated chris. Z and shaq on the court at the same time will be a nightmare for them against teams that have slashers and perimeter big men for pick and pops, z and shaq can't recover.

On the recap on TNT, charles made a good point, that what sheed and KG did to that line up (of shaq and Z) remind him of what the magic did to them, namely exploiting the lack of speed covering bigs who can shoot to the perimeter.

To sum it up, I don't think shaq is a problem so much as it changes the way that team plays, and we will have to wait and see whether it changes them for the better.

[the_Bird]

Without Sideshow on the floor, who defends the perimiter bigs?  You aren't playing Big Z and Shaq together, are you?  Is Hickson ready for a bigger role?

[crownsy]

Without Sideshow on the floor, who defends the perimiter bigs?  You aren't playing Big Z and Shaq together, are you?  Is Hickson ready for a bigger role?

I agree, this is thier biggest question. Sheed killed Z all night, and KG did the same the few times he got to get him off a pick and pop.

It really reminded me of what lewis did to them in the ECF. that's a concern i don't think they addressed in the offseason.

also, when the other team gets even a semi break off the rebound, the cavs are left playing 4-5 until shaq can lumber up court. I think thats going to hurt them ALOT vs up tempo teams.

[RebusRankin]

I thought Parker and Moon hurt them. I don't think either is a good defender.

[Brickowski]

I thought Parker defended quite well, and Shaq was fine.

Their biggest problem is lack of a pg. Mo Williams does not create offense for others.  West can, but he wasn't there.  Consequently, the ball is going one place and only one place when Cleveland has possession.  Sure, LeBron is tough to stop, but he can't do it all, all the time, especially when the Cavs offense becomes 100% predictable.

Last night sort of reminded me of the Celtics when they consisted of Pierce and the seven dwarves.

[Who]

I think LeBron James is the best answer to their power forward problems. I think it'll easier for the Cavs to find another two way wing player than a perimeter orientated power forward who can play defense.

I like the idea of having Varejao's defense off the bench behind Shaq. Gives the Cavs a different look. Rather than 48 (+?) minutes of slow footed centers who can't cover the pick and roll.

[Chris]

Without Sideshow on the floor, who defends the perimiter bigs?  You aren't playing Big Z and Shaq together, are you?  Is Hickson ready for a bigger role?

That's the point though.  They have a glaring hole in their roster IMO, and I think this is going to be exploited as the season goes on, unless they go out and get a big man who can both defend more athletic 4's, and who also can play away from the basket on offense.

[Chris]

It was a lot of 1 on 5 when the Cavs fell behind.  Early in the game, they were moving the ball and Shaq and others were contributing.  As the Celtics clawed back and eventually took a nice lead, the rest of the Cavs looked over to Daddy for help while they stood there stunned.

I heard a soundbite on the radio this morning, where Lebron addressed this exact thing.  He actually credited the C's defense with causing the 1 on 5 situations.  He said that the C's defense was able to disrupt all of their offensive sets, which caused them to get deep into the shot clock, and it turning into an isolation game.  And honestly, I think he hit it right on the head. 

But I think the biggest reason the C's defense was able to disrupt their offense for much of the game was because of their lack of spacing.

I think LeBron James is the best answer to their power forward problems. I think it'll easier for the Cavs to find another two way wing player than a perimeter orientated power forward who can play defense.

This is a good point.  Particular against a team like the C's.  Lebron should be able to give Garnett at least some trouble on defense, and it would certainly help to open up the Cavs offense to have an extra skilled player out there. 

[fairweatherfan]

The Cavs are gonna have to adjust to him, especially since they've already struggled with offensive stagnation in the past.  And while he's still just as strong as ever - he was knocking Perk around pretty routinely early on, which means he's still significantly stronger than even Dwight Howard - he's obviously much slower and quicker to tire.  Z might very well still be the better fit for that team.

On a semi-related note, anyone catch Shaq's interview they showed before the game last night?  He was saying he and Z combined would be the best center of all time - he said, "Better than Walton, better than...not better than Russell.  He, he's separate.  He's a different category."  One thing I always liked about Shaq is his constant deference to Russell as the greatest.  Apparently Bill was the one who told him to man up and make up with Kobe, too.

[Eja117]

I am on record as saying I think the problem in Cleveland is Bron.

I think he limits a team to being as good as he is, whereas I think KG helps a team become more than the sum of their parts.

However the entire basketball world wants to me to wear a dunce hat and sit in the corner on this one, so maybe I will. I'll be a genius sitting alone till Bron wins a ring. Wake me up in 2013.

[Fafnir]

I am on record as saying I think the problem in Minnesota is KG.

I think he limits a team to being as good as he is, whereas I think Tim Ducan helps a team become more than the sum of their parts.

However the entire basketball world wants to me to wear a dunce hat and sit in the corner on this one, so maybe I will. I'll be a genius sitting alone till KG wins a ring. Wake me up in 2013.

Fixed to reflect what similar minded people thought about KG previous to the 2007-2008 season. In both cases the argument is a poor one.