Is it time to admit that Cleveland got it right with the Shaq deal?

[Westy Bogan]

Sure, everyman and his dog thought it was a bad trade when Cleveland started sluggish this season but now they are travelling pretty well. They hold the number 1 Power ranking at the moment.

The game that convinced me is the Laker game where the Cavs played Shaq and Z in tandem. They easily accounted for Bynum and Gasol.

When the playoffs start and we get down to the slower half court offense I think the ability to go tall will 2 x 7 footers will strangle teams. If the Cavs coach wasnt so useless he would be practicing this combo more often.

Thoughts?

 

[magtrev]

Only 2 teams start 2 7 footers, the Lakers and Nets (lol). It's not an easy thing to get right.

 

[PHX]

They are in the same form as last year after a rusty start.

Now we just wait for the playoffs and see where it takes them.

It is still strange though that the Cavs got Shaq and at the same time said they want to increase their offensive tempo this year.

 

[Scallop Industry Thug]

Evaluation won't be final until after the season.

I don't like their offense as much with Shaq in there and the Shaq/Z tandem is so slow it can only work in very few situations.

 

[mdc]

They got him for one reason only - to guard Dwight straight up in the playoffs.

So far this season their best line-up has clearly been the one with neither Shaq nor Z on the floor.

 

[popathon]

My favourite lineup is Varejao at the 5 spot. Obviously this doesn't work against everyone but a small ball lineup looks so good. The thing that has helped the Cavs most this season has been the big improvement in Varejao and the depth of our bench now. Having Delonte, Boobie, Moon, Z and Hickson means we can run deep. The last few year the Cavs would be constantly outscored in bench points, this year it's been reversed.

 

[hamG]

They got him for one reason only - to guard Dwight straight up in the playoffs.

Is he that much more effective than Z on D? Quite a lot of hugeness going on between those two.

I reckon the only way the Cavs can be congratulated for making a good move is if they win a championship. The move could actually be a complete shit one but if they win it will be regarded as a ring winning move

 

[Borgsta]

A game where Kobe went 11-32 is the game that convinced you it was right. I'll wait and see how Shaq goes playing a game every 2nd night.

 

[mdc]

Is he that much more effective than Z on D? Quite a lot of hugeness going on between those two.

Given how badly Z got destroyed in the ECFs last year, I have to go with yes. Especially since Shaq usually does a decent job iirc.

edit: I'm talking specifically bout Dwight though, not D in general.

 

[popathon]

It's not like the Cavs gave up much to begin with so it's hardly a loss for them. Z is useless against big 5's

 

[hayes]

I think Shaq will show his true value in the playoffs when the pressure goes up and Lebron is the only one doing anything, they can dump it down to Shaq in the post for some easy scores.

 

[robd]

I actually don't think Shaq will do much come playoff time. He's just a big body they'll use to soak up fouls on guys like Dwight, and to stop people driving to the rim. You can't keep him on the floor in a late-game situation because they'll just foul him.

but it is a luxury having him, because Z can float on the perimeter and drain threes. and that is pretty demoralising for the opposition.

like others have said, the jury is out on the Cavs till playoffs. unless they win it all, this season (and the Shaq trade) is essentially a failure.

 

[The Mollusk]

He can't guard the pick and roll anymore. Come playoff time it will be a huge issue.

 

[hayes]

He can't guard the pick and roll anymore. Come playoff time it will be a huge issue.

Shaq hasn't guarded the pick and roll for about 10 years.

 

[footylover18]

It was a shit move at the time and it's still a shit move. The reason why the Cavs lost to Orlando last season wasn't because of Dwight, it was because of the matchup issues that Turk and Lewis presented the with.

 

[PHX]

It was a shit move at the time and it's still a shit move. The reason why the Cavs lost to Orlando last season wasn't because of Dwight, it was because of the matchup issues that Turk and Lewis presented the with.

Turk overall had just a normal series, Rashard stepped up in the clutch and had a good series but it was Dwight that absolutely beasted in all the wins.

That game 6 was astouding, you could see there was no way over Dwight's dead body that we were going back to Cleveland for game 7.

Without Dwight, we don't win that series. Shards contribution was also very important. Turk was important in other games and to our season run but he was just a role player for the most part in that series.

If they can stop Dwight with Shaq they don't need to collapse as much leading to more coverage they can put on the perimeter shooters. Dwight is the one. If the Cavs meet Orlando again, the concensus of the Shaq vs. Dwight matchup will decide then and there regardless of other variables whether the trade was right.

 

[Look2Me4Guidance]

Turk overall had just a normal series, Rashard stepped up in the clutch and had a good series but it was Dwight that absolutely beasted in all the wins.

That game 6 was astouding, you could see there was no way over Dwight's dead body that we were going back to Cleveland for game 7.

Without Dwight, we don't win that series. Shards contribution was also very important. Turk was important in other games and to our season run but he was just a role player for the most part in that series.

If they can stop Dwight with Shaq they don't need to collapse as much leading to more coverage they can put on the perimeter shooters. Dwight is the one. If the Cavs meet Orlando again, the concensus of the Shaq vs. Dwight matchup will decide then and there regardless of other variables whether the trade was right.

I agree but I think the Cavs did move to cover the Orlando perimeter game with the signing of Anthony Parker, but I'm with PHX, it was all flowing through Dwight.

 

[popathon]

I agree but I think the Cavs did move to cover the Orlando perimeter game with the signing of Anthony Parker, but I'm with PHX, it was all flowing through Dwight.

And Moon. Both are upgrades over Wally and Pavlovic.

 

[Look2Me4Guidance]

And Moon. Both are upgrades over Wally and Pavlovic.

I thought Moon was brought in to show LeBron how to jump?

LOLWUT?

 

[popathon]

I thought Moon was brought in to show LeBron how to jump?

LOLWUT?

Nah he was brought in to show LeBron how to dunk without 'injuring' his wrist.

 

[Look2Me4Guidance]

Nah he was brought in to show LeBron how to dunk without 'injuring' his wrist.

Nice brother.

Just need to find someone to work on Mike Brown's facial expressions and we're set.

 

[Westy Bogan]

While I agree that Shaqs primary role is to get Cleveland past Orlando I think he can give some good minutes in the play offs against other dominant big men and in particular Lakers if they get that far.

With Howard playing like a *** this season Orlando are looking less and less scary.

I know the true answer is that the proof of his worth would be winning a ring but I think he has added some value to the team already rather than being a detriment as some thought he might be.

Cleveland can look very stagnant when they go to him on multiple plays BUT I still think they will need his bulk in the play offs when defense is turned up and half court basketball is more in force.

Playing the two 7 footers together could cause many match up problems although i doubt we will see Brown implement it regularly.

 

[PHX]

With Howard playing like a *** this season Orlando are looking less and less scary.

Watch the replay of the game on ONEHD at 11PM tonight if you have missed it, and stick it right up your clacker.

We might be in a slump but Dwight is not playing like a ***.

 

[popathon]

While I agree that Shaqs primary role is to get Cleveland past Orlando I think he can give some good minutes in the play offs against other dominant big men and in particular Lakers if they get that far.

With Howard playing like a *** this season Orlando are looking less and less scary.

I know the true answer is that the proof of his worth would be winning a ring but I think he has added some value to the team already rather than being a detriment as some thought he might be.

Cleveland can look very stagnant when they go to him on multiple plays BUT I still think they will need his bulk in the play offs when defense is turned up and half court basketball is more in force.

Playing the two 7 footers together could cause many match up problems although i doubt we will see Brown implement it regularly.

It's the magics 3 ball which is playing...."faggy" this season.

 

[Westy Bogan]

Watch the replay of the game on ONEHD at 11PM tonight if you have missed it, and stick it right up your clacker.

We might be in a slump but Dwight is not playing like a ***.

OK - I might have been a bit harsh. I actually love the guy.

NBA stats is down 4 points on average from last season but does anyone else think he should be averaging more than 16 points a night especially considering he is being double teamed less this year?