I was speaking to how Shaq slowed down the Suns offense, but probably wouldn't be any slower than Z for the Cavs.
Yes for a couple of reasons(get by them and the rest in the East)... 1. IMO the C's ARENT gonna be at full force when the playoffs come around. Maybe thats not fair but I would bet there will be injuries and internal struggle. Kendrick and his shoulder, KG and his leg, Rondo being a bitch to his team, etc. Combine that with 3 of their top 4 players have a lot of miles on them and I just dont see them at 100%...this could be all for not since it seems they want to make a significant trade one way or another. 2. Orlando overachieved, sorry they just did. Sure they have talent but they played above themselves. I dont think Vince is that big of a deal and thought it was dumb of them to get rid of Courtney Lee. That guy has emerging star written all over him. Dwight is now also gonna have to deal with Shaq which will be a hell of a lot tougher than going up against Sideshow Bob & a C that shoots 20 footers and slow feet. 3. Everybody besides Lebron did not show up for the playoffs. Sure there was a game here or there from his teammates but he had NOBODY he could truly rely on the entire playoffs. It was the Kobe version 2006 show. Nobody could help so he tried to do it by himself. Shaq and Lebron will make sure the team is ready. Also, if you think (which everybody does including me) there is a regular season Shaq and a playoff version Shaq wait until this season. With the luxury of having a decent C in Zeke Shaq will be able to get a lot of rest, more than this last year I would guess. This is all about Shaq peaking 2 weeks before the end of the season and throughout the playoffs. ...as a side note that will be crazy seeing Shaq in a CLE jersey playing a playoff game in BOS...never thought id ever see that
I don't think playoff Shaq exists anymore. If you look back at his performance when Miami won the title he didn't contribute much. Alozo Mourning was more of a force on the inside than Shaq in their title run. I can buy the argument Orlando overacheived last year and I think they're going to miss guys like Battie & Lee and possibly Hedo & Gortat. The key for them is Vince Carter fitting in and the development of Howard's offensive game. I still think Boston has one or two more years with their current core at making a title run. Cleveland only single covered Howard in one of the games and it was the only time Howard really went off in the series. Orlando killed them with the three-ball and their pick & roll down the stretch. I don't think Shaq is going to have much effect on his production. Howard can beat him up and down the court every time.
Shaq isn't any slower, but he will clog the lane more cause he doesn't have the mid-range touch that Z has, so he has to be near the lane at all times. Though he is a definite upgrade in the low post. I think our main contender's barring any injuries by the Fantastic Four would be the Celts, if not, then it would be the Cavs. I sort of agree with ORlando overachieving, but they were just a plain bad match-up with the Cavs, but now that they probably lose Hedo, they're not as good imo.
The Cavs role players are better defensively than our supporting cast, especially the ones from the lame era. Orlando killed Cleveland in the regular season, and VC is a better player than Shaq plus isn't a terrible distributor either. Cleveland sucked against the best teams all year. Shaq doesn't usually play as well with less rest, especially at 38 years old when the playoffs start.
I remember in 02-03 Kobe seemed to get to the Line more without Shaq. It could be a problem for them defensively, I think he'll break down a bit more too.
Yeah, Orlando will get better, but not because of the Carter add and Hedo minus, but more because of Nelson coming back. Assuming he gets back to all-star level. (I hope not.)
They even torched Cleveland for 40+, without Nelson. He could be huge for them. If Hedo wants 10 million they should let him go. I hear they're not the richest organization either so their cap situation is already pushing it.
Yeah, their owner has never gone past the cap. Hope he does the same now. If they get Carter and retains Hedo, we are deadlocked with them.
If they can keep Hedo, I think they've gotta be the favorites to win it all. Nelson - Carter - Hedo - Lewis - Dwight? That is like a starting lineup for the all star game.
