Is Shaq a problem in Cleveland?

[Quinn]

Toronto's walking all over Cleveland.
Too much hype?

[mgent]

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.

I've always thought it was obvious that Varejao is the weak link on the Cavs (before Delonte went missing).  Just like Derek Fisher on the Lakers.  Neither of them are good enough to be on a championship starting 5.  Celtics don't have that problem.  Orlando fixed the problem they had at SG last year and let a problem at SF open up.

[Kwhit10]

LeBron might get a nice triple double to go with his second loss of the season 

[Eja117]

LeBron might get a nice triple double to go with his second loss of the season 

and he'll get endless espn highlights right after the Brett Farve highlights

[KCattheStripe]

LeBron might get a nice triple double to go with his second loss of the season 

and he'll get endless espn highlights right after the Brett Farve highlights

Still with the Brett Favre?

[Eja117]

LeBron might get a nice triple double to go with his second loss of the season 

and he'll get endless espn highlights right after the Brett Farve highlights

Still with the Brett Favre?

mmmmmm....Eli Manning?

[Jon]

LeBron might get a nice triple double to go with his second loss of the season 

Yeah.  I think it's too early to say that the Shaq thing is a bust, but I don't think that this is the homerun that some experts think.  Shaq's numbers were grossly inflated last year playing with Steve Nash in Phoenix's uptempo system.  If he had played elsewhere last season, I think his numbers would've been down and Cleveland wouldn't have been duped into taking him.  I mean think about it, if Shaq was really still the player his stats made him look like, would the Suns have missed the playoffs?  

Still, I expect things to get better.  He and LeBron will learn to coexist better.  But his game doesn't mesh nearly as well with what Cleveland does than Sheed's game does with what Boston is doing.  

[KCattheStripe]

LeBron might get a nice triple double to go with his second loss of the season 

and he'll get endless espn highlights right after the Brett Farve highlights

Still with the Brett Favre?

mmmmmm....Eli Manning?

Both those men have rings.

[fairweatherfan]

I don't know...the more I think about it, Shaq is now at the point where he produces like a role player, but still has to be accommodated like a superstar.  Not in an ego sense, but in terms of gameplan, the physical space he takes up, etc.  I don't know that Mike Brown's got the offensive chops to work him in, and defense was never what Shaq was about.  I don't expect Cleveland to be as bad as they've looked so far, but they're clearly struggling, and part of it's working him in.

[Eja117]

LeBron might get a nice triple double to go with his second loss of the season 

and he'll get endless espn highlights right after the Brett Farve highlights

Still with the Brett Favre?

mmmmmm....Eli Manning?

Both those men have rings.

Yep. One whole ring and 500% more highlights than the next closest guy.

Eli, Brett, and Bron.  When they wake up in the morning they turn on ESPN to watch the highlights

When Kobe, Duncan, Shaq, and Tom wake up they walk over to their closet, open their safe and say "Hmmmm. Which ring do I want to wear today?"

and that's the difference

[KCattheStripe]

LeBron might get a nice triple double to go with his second loss of the season 

and he'll get endless espn highlights right after the Brett Farve highlights

Still with the Brett Favre?

mmmmmm....Eli Manning?

Both those men have rings.

Yep. One whole ring and 500% more highlights than the next closest guy.

Eli, Brett, and Bron.  When they wake up in the morning they turn on ESPN to watch the highlights

When Kobe, Duncan, Shaq, and Tom wake up they walk over to their closet, open their safe and say "Hmmmm. Which ring do I want to wear today?"

and that's the difference

I was comparing them to LeBron.

[greg683x]

Tonight also for Cleveland looks like another shining example of what a lot has been discussed in this thread about the defensive downside of having both Z and Shaq.

Andrea Barganai(sp) 28 points on 11-15 shooting.  I didnt see the game for myself, but judging by the box, it looks like they had a hard time contesting his shots.

[Eja117]

LeBron might get a nice triple double to go with his second loss of the season 

and he'll get endless espn highlights right after the Brett Farve highlights

Still with the Brett Favre?

mmmmmm....Eli Manning?

Both those men have rings.

Yep. One whole ring and 500% more highlights than the next closest guy.

Eli, Brett, and Bron.  When they wake up in the morning they turn on ESPN to watch the highlights

When Kobe, Duncan, Shaq, and Tom wake up they walk over to their closet, open their safe and say "Hmmmm. Which ring do I want to wear today?"

and that's the difference

I was comparing them to LeBron.

So was I in the overhyped category, but you're right that there's no comparison in the ring category.

[King Mob]

to me the real problem in Cleveland is this:

I believe that in Lebron's mind he is 2-0.

38 points against Boston = win

triple-double in a game = win

Until he overcomes that... the Cav's championship hopes are on the ropes.

[ToppersBsktball10]

lol @ them losing to Toronto. I'd love to send an e mail to all the writer's that said Cleveland wins the east with the box score of last night's game and the game against Toronto. Props to LeBron though, he's been outstanding in both loses.