LeBron and Shaq before the All-Star game.
*UPDATE: Vince Carter heading to Magic; Courtney Lee, Rafar Alston, Tony Battie gone to Nets (I wonder why? Nets have approx. ~$29 million signed for 2010-2011... hellooooo free agents!)
Admist rumors that the Phoenix Suns were shopping their future hall-of-famer Shaquille O'Neal, there has been an announcement today that the Cleveland Cavaliers are going to pick up the 4x NBA champion, 3x Finals MVP All-Star for their upcoming campaign for the title in the 2009-2010 season.
What kind of impact will O'Neal have on the Cavs, a team so solid together (at least until the playoffs)?
This is a huge gamble, for both O'Neal's career and the Cavs, as O'Neal is reaching the end of his career (may have a few more years left) and is in need to post up some huge numbers in order to ride out his NBA life until retirement, as he has one year left on his contract and is looking to re-sign after the next season.
O'Neal in his prime with the Lakers dunks over his now former team, the Suns.
As for the Cavs, they risk disrupting their team flow, as LeBron James has yet to play with someone who likes to start the offense through him first, and takes up so much valuable paint space that James likes to invade. But, this can pay off in the long run as the Cavs have clearly shown they need a stronger presance in the paint (during their exit out of the Eastern Conference Finals to the Orlando Magic). This can also pay off, as a title next year will (most likely) guarantee James either staying through his contract or re-signing with the Cavs during the 2010 mega-free agent market. But, with so many potential contenders (Lakers, Celtics, Magic, Nuggets, Rockets (pending on Yao Ming's foot) and a handful of teams that can upset any of these teams), the Cavs may just lose out on James despite what happens...
Just because James & the Cavaliers lost this year, won't mean the whole debate on Kobe vs. LeBron will go away - and we all know Kobe's going to be around for the next 5-6 years... Kobe here driving by LeBron in their victory against the Cavs during the regular season.
For those who follow this blog, you know that I am a HUGE L.A. Lakers fan - and this could spell trouble (as well as most likely seeing a Lakers Vs. Cavs Christmas Day 2009 game) for the Lake Show and Kobe Bryant - but if Andrew Bynum, their budding center sticks true to his word about him and Dwight Howard working out together in the summer, O'Neal and James may actually be looking at a (few deadly) dagger(s) coming at them.
Imagine Howard with Bynum's ability to shoot and do touches, and imagine Bynum with Howard's physique and inside ability - these two are going to help each other out and make each team that much harder for the Cavs to beat.
Plus, with Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics back in the picture and Howard viving for revenge, the Cavs better make some smart summer moves and secure some scorers on the wing...unlike Mo Williams who was supposed to be James's partner-in-crime but failed to show up.
With Garnett back, the Cavs (and the rest of the NBA) are going to have trouble - if the Celtics can manage to keep their team together and healthy.
We'll see what happens come fall of 2009 - its going to be an interesting season!
Click HERE for the full article from ESPN.
(*NOTE: I do not provide/host these files, click on your own discretion!)
EH
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