ALthough this helps Cleveland, I'm not so worried. LeBron drives so much that at some points, Shaq WILL clog the lane up, but SHaq an still score though. I'm more worred about Orlando getting Carter. If they don't re-sign Hedo, then it's alright since Carter may be a better scorer, but he is not the playmaker and decisionmaker that Hedo is. Same to Jameer, although he is a huge boost compared to Rafer.
If Jameer just stays healthy they'll be quite dangerous, the problem seems that he is a little injury prone. Also they might want to look at getting a traditional power forward.
darizzle you've made a good point/argumenty for shaq benefitting the cavs. i think your right on some accounts, the suns and cavs have very different styles, the cavs playing more "east-coast bball", but thats just it, the cavs, i believe, need to be a running team for lebron to work best, they always did better as a team when playing fast tempo bball. I am by no means arguing shaq is a bad player, i just think he wont fit as well with the cavs as some people think he will. at first it sounds like a dream for lebron fans, but when you think about it, slowing down any team, whether they are fast or half-court teams, isnt a good thing. i noticed in the playoffs lebron would attack the block at the post so much that nobody could stop him. When i was playing for the victoria state team we ran a similar pick and roll type thing we called '21' which is essentially an isolation play tricking the defense into defending the other block, the player being iso'd would start at the top of the key, thus given the chance to take the ball into either post that opened up. this is very similar to what the cavs like to do, and i understand how it is meant to work, and having to much size can slow you down, lessen the space you have in the key, and particulty in this case, draw the defense into the key rather than away. defense was always drawn to the perimeter these playoffs against the cavs. that will change with shaq and that will take major adjustment from lebron, which i dont beleive will happen as fast as the cavs would like. essentially this move by the cavs isnt the answer they need.
Well now you are arguing that you should change the style that got them the best record in the regular season. Let me also be clear that im not saying this is gonna guarantee them a ship...but Im gonna say right now that they are getting to the finals! Bump this shit in June! And Denny....Zeke shoots a 15-20 foot J for half his shots...they are definitely gonna have a different impact
Assuming Boston is healthy and they resolve their alleged chemistry issues with Rondo. Do you think the Cavs can get by them? The East will probably come down to how the seeding works out. Which ever of these 3 teams advances to the ECF without facing the other two probably prevails.
Eh, I wouldn't say the Magic improved more. Carter is good, but out of his prime. Is he still the go to scorer that they needed down the stretch? Plus, they'll more than likely lose Hedo. Shaq will help LBJ, but I don't think enough to put them over the hump. Boston? They're done.
Orlando improved on paper, but they lose a big piece of their offensive edge if Hedo doesn't re-sign. I agree Orlando is the team to beat early, but I think Boston with KG back and healthy will defeat Cavs or Magic in a 7 game series.
I think Hedo is gone, I doubt they go that far into the tax to sign his 8-10 million dollar per year contract. I hear he wants 5years/50mil.
Not really. Hedo's ability to handle the ball at 6'10 makes him a tough match up for majority of teams in the league. Vince Carter won't have the same advantage at his position. The Magic will need Rashard Lewis taking advantage if he slides to SF and posting up on shorter defenders. However, Shard isn't the playmaker off the dribble Hedo was. We'll see how it plays out. I don't think Boston is out of the picture though. Keep in mind they pushed Orlando to 7 games without KG. That's coming off a physically demanding series against Chicago. Boston can single coverage guys like LeBron, Shaq, Howard, or Shard which makes them relevant in the East.
