Shaq's Impact

Shapecity · Dec 8, 2009

As Brain Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer points out today, Shaquille O'Neal is having one of his worst seasons statistically. He's averaging a career-low in points, rebounds, shooting percentage and minutes played.

Some say O'Neal is clogging the lane and making it harder for LeBron James to get to the hole. But Windhorst sees it differently.

"O'Neal does help clog the lane, for the opposition," he writes. "With O'Neal, the Cavs have three different center options with Anderson Varejao and Zydrunas Ilgauskas. This allows for a crisp rotation depending on the opponent and makes sure the Cavs have size in the game at all times.

"The Cavs lead the NBA in keeping teams from scoring in the paint, giving up 33.5 points a game ... They are fourth in the NBA in fewest points allowed at 93.6."

Windhorst attribute the Cavs averaging 3.6 more points in the paint this season, their team field-goal percentage being up to 48 percent, their assists being up and J.J. Hickson's ascension all to O'Neal's presence. The team is also 5-1 against teams over .500 with O'Neal in the lineup.

The numbers may be down, but Windhorst makes a compelling case that O'Neal's benefits to the team are coming beyond the boxscore.
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Source: Plain Dealer

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Shaq's Impact

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Shaq's Impact

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