OT: Shaq to Cavs

Post #1 » by **PR07** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 4:46 am

Well, I think this move catapults the Cavs to the top dog in the East, as they essentially gave up nothing in Pavlovic and artist formerly known as Ben Wallace.

It'll be interesting to say the least. If LeBron wins with Shaq, will the whole "he can't win without Shaq" start with him? One thing is for sure, the Cavs match up a lot better with Dwight Howard. And can you imagine if the Cavs and Lakers met in the Finals next season. Talk about David Stern's dream. The storylines would be huge.

Post #2 » by **Scoot McGroot** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 4:55 am

It's a great deal for Cleveland as they didn't have to give up anything of value for Shaq. Losing the #46 hurts their finances a bit, but they can make it up with undrafted guys.

cdash · Post #3 » by **cdash** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 5:04 am

PR07 wrote:Well, I think this move catapults the Cavs to the top dog in the East, as they essentially gave up nothing in Pavlovic and artist formerly known as Ben Wallace.

It'll be interesting to say the least. If LeBron wins with Shaq, will the whole "he can't win without Shaq" start with him? One thing is for sure, the Cavs match up a lot better with Dwight Howard. And can you imagine if the Cavs and Lakers met in the Finals next season. Talk about David Stern's dream. The storylines would be huge.

Nah, that's silly. No one says that about Wade, and he won with Shaq. The only reason Kobe got it is because Shaq was the best player on those three title teams. Wade was obviously the best player on the Heat championship team, and LeBron is obviously the alpha dog in Cleveland.

glasket · Post #4 » by **glasket** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 5:23 am

wow, talk about acquiring Shaq for a bag of chips!
Cavs will be very tough next season.

Post #5 » by **Grang33r** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 5:32 am

And with that big news.... happy draft day guys!

chatard5 · Post #6 » by **chatard5** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 7:48 am

Woo draft day. Nice move by the Cavs. I think the Suns might dump almost every1. I wouldn't be too surprised to see Nash and Amare gone, too. I would like Amare and Barbosa! FJ20 told me he read somewhere that there is some Amare trade talk. The Bulls can trump any offer, and other teams, too. We need some defense down low. And some offense down low would be okay, too.

Post #7 » by **Miller4ever** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 7:55 am

Dwight made Shaq have to flop last season. I think this trade isn't as ridiculously one-sided as it seems...

chatard5 · Post #8 » by **chatard5** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 7:56 am

Woooow, Eastern Conference Finals of Cleveland vs. Orlando sounds awesome right now.

Post #9 » by **Miller4ever** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 8:00 am

You know what sounds better? Indiana vs. anybody in the Eastern Conference Finals.

chatard5 · Post #10 » by **chatard5** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 8:05 am

Hmmm, true. Hopefully that'll happen next year. I am not holding my breath just yet. Maybe after a couple of trades to get an athletic big that can play D at an absolute steal. Or have Blake Griffin drop to us. Don't know why, but it isn't impossible. OK, pretty much is.

Hey M4E, Dwight Howard just got on Fallon.

basketballwacko2 · Post #11 » by **basketballwacko2** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 10:10 am

Man the Suns got screwwed! I thought it was gonna be Big Z Pavlovic and Gibson plus the #30 for Shaq. What's next Nash to the Mavs for Stack and Shawne Williams and a 2nd?

They did say the Suns had wanted another player in the deal and didn't get it, it looks like their gonna cut Pavlovic and save themselves $4 million. If they want another player they could send Pavlovic to us for JT!

artichokes · Post #12 » by **artichokes** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 1:18 pm

I guess I'm the only one that thinks this was stupid for Cle. LeBron's forte, or m.o., if you will, is his dribble drives and slashes to the hoop. Clogging his paint with a big, greasy Shaq could take away one of LeBron's most vital scoring options.

But, yes, Phoenix did get ripped off. A muthafluckin' Sasha Pavlovic? The unalthetic alien that ate Ben Wallace and wears his skin as a disguise? Please.

Post #13 » by **mizzoupacers** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 2:14 pm

Not a very good trade by Phoenix IMO. I know they are going into rebuilding mode and are mostly looking to trim payroll here. But (1) Shaq's old, but still worth more than this (2) they aren't really saving all that much money, and (3) all they got besides the cost-cutting was a second round pick?!? For Shaq?!? Damn. (You know Sasha and Wallace will never put on a Suns uni.)

As for Shaq--sheesh, in terms of the perimeter players he has been teamed up with, he has got to be the luckiest center in the history of the galaxy. Penny Hardaway (he was awesome in his prime)...Kobe...Wade...now LeBron...that's freakin unbelievable.

Post #14 » by **count55** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 2:32 pm

mizzoupacers wrote:As for Shaq--sheesh, in terms of the perimeter players he has been teamed up with, he has got to be the luckiest center in the history of the galaxy. Penny Hardaway (he was awesome in his prime)...Kobe...Wade...now LeBron...that's freakin unbelievable.

I would imagine those wings should consider themselves pretty damn fortunate, as well.

Post #15 » by **Gremz** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 7:43 pm

If the Cavs can't manage to get it done with Shaq, then perhaps the 2010 Free Agency will be extremely entertaining after all.

Dunthreevy · Post #16 » by **Dunthreevy** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 8:01 pm

count55 wrote:
mizzoupacers wrote:As for Shaq--sheesh, in terms of the perimeter players he has been teamed up with, he has got to be the luckiest center in the history of the galaxy. Penny Hardaway (he was awesome in his prime)...Kobe...Wade...now LeBron...that's freakin unbelievable.

I would imagine those wings should consider themselves pretty damn fortunate, as well.

Damn right. The Diesel is one of the most dominate players in the history of the league. The other team's defensive focus that he took away from those wing players allowed them to be better players.

Granger da OG · Post #17 » by **Granger da OG** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 8:05 pm

So basically the Suns turned Marion into Pavolivic..........not very impressive Steve

Post #18 » by **mizzoupacers** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 8:45 pm

Sure, it's a lucky break to play with Shaq too, but none of those guys will have spent his entire career playing with Shaq. Shaq will have spent virtually his entire career playing with elite perimeter guys--and FOUR of them, at least two of whom will go probably down as being among the top 10 or so guys ever to play the game. That's kind of incredible. The only comparable I can think of off the top of my head is Kareem playing with Oscar Robertson at the beginning of his career and Magic Johnson at the end.

Post #19 » by **Grang33r** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 8:51 pm

Steve Kerr single handily has ruined the Suns. LOL

Dunthreevy · Post #20 » by **Dunthreevy** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 8:58 pm

mizzoupacers wrote:Sure, it's a lucky break to play with Shaq too, but none of those guys will have spent his entire career playing with Shaq. Shaq will have spent virtually his entire career playing with elite perimeter guys--and FOUR of them, at least two of whom will go probably down as being among the top 10 or so guys ever to play the game. That's kind of incredible. The only comparable I can think of off the top of my head is Kareem playing with Oscar Robertson at the beginning of his career and Magic Johnson at the end.

But look at what those players did once Shaq left them.

Penny (injured constantly, never stood a chance)
Kobe (took him years to get another ring, and he had a damn good supporting cast to do so)
Wade (has had to carry his team and they haven't been a major factor in the East)
Lebron (TBD)