for Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavolvic

I agree...I just found out this morning on espnews, and I heard them say something to the effect (paraphrasing here) that LeBron got what he finally wanted, finally got some help, etc. The same thing they were saying when they got Wallace and Wally. I just don't like this for chemistry reasons. I mean if I had to classify the Cavs team, I'd tend to say they lean more toward running/being an energy team, for obvious reasons. I'm not sure what they needed was someone to clog up the lane. They obviously had a great regular season, what they needed was just a consistent 2nd/3rd scoring option. In the regular season that was Mo Williams, unfortunately no one else really showed up in the Magic series when they needed someone to step up. I'm not sure if you went back and revisited that series and gave them Shaq, that they would have won. Yeah it would have helped to some degree guarding Howard but I'm not sure how much. Shaq is old and slow now, Howard would have just went right around him.

I'm not saying Shaq won't help, I'm just trying to understand what his role will be and how he'll fit in...are they actually going to slow things down and run sets for him? Is he just going to turn into a garbage guy with put backs and tip ins? I suppose their feeling is that in the playoffs when things stall or slow down or when Lebron is on the bench they can go to Oneal, I just don't know how effective that's going to be.

I'm just thinking would it have been better if the Cavs had gotten Richard Jefferson instead? I think that would have fit in better with the Cavs dynamic. You'd have Mo Williams/Jefferson as the 2nd/3rd options, I think that would be pretty good. I guess I'm just thinking if anything Lebron can get to the hole every time down, they don't need an inside presence like Shaq, they need someone to hit mid range jumpers and 3's and space the floor for when Lebron drives, which Jefferson can certainly do.

Just saying like the Bulls didn't really need a traditional C because they had Jordan, they just needed someone that could hit an occasional free throw line jumper (yes I know they were running the triangle but still) and do a decent job defending and rebounding inside. They didn't need scoring from the position, really. Like I don't think the Cavs necessarily need scoring from their frontline- they need scoring (other than Lebron) period.

But I guess the bottom line is they didn't give up much. Obviously Suns are looking to cut costs and save some money, so if you can roll the dice and not give up anything, might as well go for it.

this is the problem with star power sometimes. shaq will do nothing to help the cavs, like he did nothing to help the suns. and he'll have the same opposite effect on them.

wonder how mike brown will try to justify his existence...the great coach...

I feel bad for the Cavs. They are so desperate to keep Lebron that they'll try anything. They didn't give up anything in value really but I doubt Shaq is going to keep Lebron from bolting for New York or Chicago.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Imagine Shaq in his prime with James.

That would be scary.

I'm too busy imagining what Arvydas Sabonis was like in his prime

Right....exactly. Like the big Wallace/Wally World trade...sure, they're doing something. Which I guess is better than doing nothing, and agreed they aren't giving up anything of value. It just reeks of desperation

What would LeBrons career look like if Jim Paxson didnt fuck up the Boozer situation?

Imagine Jordan, Magic, Wilt, Bird, and Doug Flutie all in their primes, all playing together on the same team.

That would be scarier than what you are imaganing.

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Shaq and Ilgauskis? That's one slow frontcourt.

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Say that Cleveland wins next year, who is going to get the credit? Shaq. Just like how everybody was saying Kobe couldn't win the big one without Shaq. (until this year) but that is what they will hold over Lebron's head now. As far as a marketing standpoint, it would of been in Lebron's better interest to have added more talented role players as opposed to another star player.

Most people give Dwayne Wade the credit for winning the title not Shaq.

Shaq gets the credit for the Lakers titles because he was the best player on the team.

Everyone knows Lebron will be the best player on the Cavs.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Like most people here I dont know how much this helps but they gave up absolutely nothing. If Shaq can play like he did last season in PHX then this undoubtedly improves the team in my mind. I agree they needed a taller, athletic 3/4 player for the matchup against Orlando but there wasnt one out there that wouldnt clog up their cap.

One thing Im surprised noone is mentioning here is that the Cavs are definitely still a contender for the Finals next season, and with Shaq coming off the cap they will easily be able to sign with Bosh. Thats why I dont see why Chicago could make a run at Bosh or LeBron. I dont think they would be stupid enough to leave when they could play together and still have a decent third guy in Mo.

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Fare you well, fare you well
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Listen to the river sing sweet songs
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If the Cleveland Cavaliers made this deal for Shaquille O'Neal two or three years ago, LeBron James would be hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy right now. As it is, Shaq's best days are well behind him, LeBron still doesn't have an NBA Championship, and the Cavaliers' window winning a title is beginning to close. Head coach Mike Brown's job could be among the hottest seats in the NBA next season if this deal doesn't work out.

Yeah, that's the truth. I don't understand this from the Suns' perspective. Shaq was already an expiring contract. How does this help them?

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The landowner effectively owns part shares in millions of part-time slaves called, "taxpayers." -Roy L
A Personal Relationship with Jesus?

I often forget Shaq was even on that Miami team.

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I dont think they NEED to keep Varajeo. Mo, Bosh, and LeBron would be the best trio in the league, and like we saw with Boston last season, they'll get veteran 7th, 8th, 9th men to fill in those glue spots coming off the bench. A Posey/Ariza type of player. I dont see why Bron would leave after that. Thats the foundation he needs to turn the Cavs as a franchise to the Bulls-level, meaning top 5 franchise of all time.

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul