- 7,285
- 10
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2005
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4509928
Remember Color Settings?
Yes No
Gradient Format:
Full Text Per Line
Prefix Text:
Suffix Text:
Live stream of media day today from 1:30-2pm
http://www.cleveland.com/...edia_day_-_live_str.html
Will Shaq's starpower brighten Cleveland Cavaliers' title plans? Or overload the system?
By Brian Windhorst
September 26, 2009, 6:09PM
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- As Cavaliers fans are about to find out, everything Shaquille O'Neal does is big.
What the team is specifically concerned about is the size of hisimpact, both positive and negative. Though the Cavs sold the trade toget O'Neal as a low-risk, high-reward deal, there is indeed some risk.And certainly the potential of supreme reward.
Here is a look at both as the Cavs are set to begin training camp on Monday.
The potential rewards:
• A true low-post presence.
O'Neal is one of the best centers in NBA history and also one of thegame's most efficient scorers. He has a career shooting percentage of58 percent and was better than 60 percent last season with the Suns.
Offense in general operates much better when plays can develop frominside out. Over the last several years, Cavs coach Mike Brown has beenencouraging a drive-and-kick offensive system to mimic this actionbecause the team didn't have a good low-post option. O'Neal will have amassive size advantage on most opponents and if he scores at his usualclip, then teams will have to either double team or help on him, whichshould open up shots for everyone. It has worked for nearly two decades.
• A one-man defensive island.
Last season, the Cavs had some serious problems when they matched upagainst the Magic and Lakers. They had trouble controlling DwightHoward and keeping him from getting low position. He would either catchthe ball too deep and get a dunk or a foul or he would find his 3-pointshooters when the Cavs double-teamed him.
Against the Lakers, the Cavs had issues dealing with their multiple7-footers. If Pau Gasol wasn't beating them, then Andrew Bynum or LamarOdom did. Often when they had to help one of the Lakers' three big men,the other was there to take advantage on the weakside via a pass orrebound.
O'Neal is not spry and does have problems handling the pick-and-roll,but he will never give up position due to size. He will not need helpguarding his man, be it Howard, Gasol or Bynum. This will enable theCavs to play straight up defensively and eliminate the trick defensesthat failed them in the Eastern Conference Finals.
With Zydrunas Ilgauskas to help him, the Cavs can chose to play big if teams like the Lakers opt to use two centers at one time.
O'Neal does not move nearly as well as he used to and therefore can'tbe as good of a basket defender when it comes to blocking shots, but1-on-1 he is still as good as it gets at the position.
• A motivated big man.
O'Neal missed the playoffs last season for the first time in his careerand had to watch former teammate and uneasy rival Kobe Bryant tie himwith four championship rings. He has been issued a challenge by Howardas the heir to his throne. And he's fighting to prove that he still canbe a champion.
During his career, O'Neal has been at his best when he's beenmotivated. With his stated goal to reach a fifth championship beforeBryant and with a new contract on the line, there's no questioning hismotivation. Which is exactly what the Cavs want and need.
The potential risks:
• The contract issue.
O'Neal made no secret when he arrived in Cleveland that he wants acontract extension of at least two seasons. He mentioned it three timesduring his introductory press conference.
He has been earning eight figures per season since 1996 and this yearwill make $20 million. But this is the first time he's faced having toprove he's worth getting another deal that pays him those eightfigures. It is obviously on his mind and he's never been afraid tospeak out when he thinks it will be to his benefit.
If the season isn't going the way he wants it, if he's not getting asmany touches as he wants or not putting up stats he thinks will helphim in his negotiations, it could become a distraction. Even if theCavs are doing well it is possible O'Neal could not be happy and thatis not a situation the team wants to be in.
• Sharing the spotlight.
When he came to town, O'Neal made a big splash by saying his goal wasto "win a ring for the king" as he lauded new teammate LeBron James. Healso said that "this is the time in my career where I can fit in. I'mnow in the security business. My job is to protect the king, and that'swhat I'm here to do."
But words and actions are two different things. O'Neal teamed up withBryant and Dwyane Wade to win titles, but left both with troubledrelationships. There were rumblings of problems with teammates inPhoenix after his departure. There's no doubt O'Neal is a winner, butthere is a question as to whether he can fit into the team dynamic. Ashis role changes there are questions how well he will deal with it.
• Relationship with the coach.
In the media, O'Neal is perhaps most famous for giving himself variousnicknames over the years. But he's just as prolific in another area. Hehas never been afraid to openly criticize his coaches or formercoaches, even the profession's elite in Phil Jackson and Pat Riley. Hisrant about former Heat coach Stan Van Gundy last year, when he brandedhim the "master of panic," will not soon be forgotten.
Unlike Riley and Jackson, Brown doesn't carry a championshipreputation. He also operates differently, selling his players onphilosophy and getting them to take ownership in a process, especiallyplaying defense. In other words, Brown does not carry or demand thesort of respect as some of O'Neal's previous coaches. Which means Browncould be an easy target if the big man so chooses.
Again referring to the first press conference, O'Neal took severalswipes at Brown's defensive strategies in the Eastern Conference Finalsloss to the Magic. O'Neal knew about them first hand, he was sittingcourtside for one of the games in Orlando. He may not be afraid to takeshots at Brown if things get rocky, which certainly may carry unsavoryeffects.
All-in-all, the Cavs have themselves one big weapon in O'Neal, butespecially with the stakes of this season he also is one big variable.
Dribbles: According to a source, as of Friday Delonte West was expected to be with the Cavs when they start training camp on Monday. Theteam has said nothing about the guard following his arrest last weekfor gun possession in Maryland. Because it is an ongoing criminal case,it is doubtful West will say much about the incident to the media. Muchof the concern is over West's mental state, which is a highly privatematter.
Meanwhile, James is excited about a movie project he has signed on todo called "Fantasy Basketball Camp," a comedy in which he will playhimself. It is scheduled to be filmed next summer. That could havesignificant effects on his schedule. One, with filming occupying hisoff-season, James may look to wrap up his free agency decision quicklyin July. Which will probably be somewhat a relief for all partiesconcerned.
Second, it puts his status with USA Basketball in question. Team USA isgoing to take part in the World Championships next September in Turkey.They were counting on James to play, but it isn't clear whether thetimeframe will enable him to shoot the movie and get his preparationsin with Team USA. The movie is set in Las Vegas and that is where TeamUSA will prepare for the event, so it is possible James could work bothinto his schedule.
One thing James' marketing company, LRMR, aims to do is to mergemultiple interests together. They seemed to be successful doing thatthis summer in promoting James' soon-to-be released documentary "MoreThan A Game." James went on a world tour set up by Nike to pitch hisnew signature shoe and tacked on promotion for the movie. Now, StateFarm has a new commercial with James that promotes the film.
He wants to blossom: In an interview with the Houston Chronicle, Trevor Ariza said the reason he picked the Rockets over the Cavs in July was because the Rockets offered him a bigger role. With Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming recovering from major injuries, there is room for Ariza to be a star in Houston.
"I chose to come here because I thought in Cleveland I would be thesame type of player," Ariza said. "I thought if I would leave a place,I might as well get better and try to find a role."
Anniversary season: This season the Cavs will wear an "XL" -- the Romannumeral for 40 -- on their uniforms to mark the team's 40th season. Thefranchise launched in 1970 and the 40th anniversary isn't until nextfall, but this is indeed the 40th season.
http://www.cleveland.com/..._starpower_brighten.html
http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/blog/index.ssf/2009/09/terry_plutos_talkin_about_the_5.htmlAbout the Cavs ...
1. Shaquille O'Neal has been in town this week and has been scrimmagingwith the Cavs, and the big man looks in good condition and seemsexcited about a new season. O'Neal has told coach Mike Brown and othershow Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade both needed O'Neal to win their firsttitles. He wants to do the same for LeBron James.
2. Between stops on his book and movie tour, James also has beenworking out at the team facility. The players meet the media on Monday,and James won't be the entire focal point with O'Neal around. Jameswill probably enjoy that, as he has spent the summer with the mediaselling his new movie and book.
3. The Cavs are saying nothing about Delonte West's situation. He has notyet been working out with the team, but might be in town for Monday'sopening of camp. The questions hanging over West mean it's even moreimportant that Mo Williams continue to grow as a point guard. The Cavsexpect a better year from him because he knows the system, especiallythe defense. He now has been through a real playoff grind, and thatalso was new to him.
4. J.J. Hickson and Darnell Jackson have both impressed in pickup games,and there is playing time available for at least one of these young bigmen. This also is a important training camp for Daniel Gibson. He nowis healed from his turf toe injury -- which has bothered him in partsof the past two seasons. If West is out for an extended period, Gibsonwill have to handle the point guard duties when Williams rests.
5. Two guards in camp are expected to be Coby Karl and Andre Barrett.Karl is the son of Denver coach George Karl. He played 17 games withthe Lakers in 2007-08, and since has played in Europe and theDevelopmental League. He is a true point guard at 6-5, and the Cavs areintrigued by him. Barnett is a 5-11 guard from Seton Hall who hasplayed briefly with several NBA teams and in Europe.
Fox Sports Ohio latest schedule lists 2 preseason games as being televised.
Tues Oct 6 vs Charlotte (7:00 PM)
Mon Oct 12 vs Athens (7:00 PM)
J.J. Hickson finally healthy again
