Comments on: Shaquille O’Neal’s Reign Over Your Media Has Only Just Begun http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/2009/06/25/shaquille-oneals-reign-over-your-media-has-only-just-begun/ Unbiased opinions from extremely biased people Tue, 22 May 2012 16:40:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Leon http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/2009/06/25/shaquille-oneals-reign-over-your-media-has-only-just-begun/comment-page-1/#comment-12956 Leon Sat, 27 Jun 2009 05:03:29 +0000 http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/?p=2943#comment-12956 kneejerk - they got brutalized because they had to throw 2 to 3 guys at Howard. Make Howard work, and he's MUCH more ineffective. That was the main source of their problems. (And BTW, Hedo is gone). I agree with Yams though. The Diesel is a wild card. kneejerk – they got brutalized because they had to throw 2 to 3 guys at Howard. Make Howard work, and he’s MUCH more ineffective. That was the main source of their problems. (And BTW, Hedo is gone).

I agree with Yams though. The Diesel is a wild card.

]]> By: WildYams http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/2009/06/25/shaquille-oneals-reign-over-your-media-has-only-just-begun/comment-page-1/#comment-12836 WildYams Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:49:55 +0000 http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/?p=2943#comment-12836 This should be a good trade for the Cavs, but I definitely disagree that "from a spacing standpoint, it’s brilliant." You've got to be a little worried that Shaq will just camp in the lane, making it that much harder for LeBron to get clear paths to the rim. Part of what makes Z such an effective frontcourt player with LeBron is that Z's perimeter game pulled defenders away from the lane making it easier for LeBron to drive to the rack. Maybe Shaq will stay out of the way (like he did at first with the Suns), but it's gonna be on Mike Brown to come up with something offensively to make sure things don't get too clogged down low. This is gonna be especially difficult if the Cavs re-sign Varejao, who really has no offensive game whatsoever and is also only effective if he's right near the rim. Nevertheless, Cleveland really didn't give up anything to get Shaq, and Shaq's contract comes off the books next summer, so even if he never played at all it would still be safe financially. There is something that nags at me though: Shaq's health. Remember how bad he looked towards the end of his stint with Miami? Remember how so much credit was given to the Suns' trainers for suddenly rejuvenating and healing him? If there's any truth to all that stuff, then is it a concern that Shaq will suddenly revert to the guy he was for the last two-plus years with the Heat? Also, will Shaq be extra motivated now that he's again with one of the top three wing players in the game? Will he be extra motivated because it's a contract year? Will any of that cause him to want to do too much, to get more credit, or will he be willing to be a "team player"? I think the biggest problem with Shaq nowadays is that at his age (38 in March) you just really aren't too sure what to expect. This should be a good trade for the Cavs, but I definitely disagree that “from a spacing standpoint, it’s brilliant.” You’ve got to be a little worried that Shaq will just camp in the lane, making it that much harder for LeBron to get clear paths to the rim. Part of what makes Z such an effective frontcourt player with LeBron is that Z’s perimeter game pulled defenders away from the lane making it easier for LeBron to drive to the rack.

Maybe Shaq will stay out of the way (like he did at first with the Suns), but it’s gonna be on Mike Brown to come up with something offensively to make sure things don’t get too clogged down low. This is gonna be especially difficult if the Cavs re-sign Varejao, who really has no offensive game whatsoever and is also only effective if he’s right near the rim. Nevertheless, Cleveland really didn’t give up anything to get Shaq, and Shaq’s contract comes off the books next summer, so even if he never played at all it would still be safe financially.

There is something that nags at me though: Shaq’s health. Remember how bad he looked towards the end of his stint with Miami? Remember how so much credit was given to the Suns’ trainers for suddenly rejuvenating and healing him? If there’s any truth to all that stuff, then is it a concern that Shaq will suddenly revert to the guy he was for the last two-plus years with the Heat?

Also, will Shaq be extra motivated now that he’s again with one of the top three wing players in the game? Will he be extra motivated because it’s a contract year? Will any of that cause him to want to do too much, to get more credit, or will he be willing to be a “team player”? I think the biggest problem with Shaq nowadays is that at his age (38 in March) you just really aren’t too sure what to expect.

]]> By: kneejerkNBA http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/2009/06/25/shaquille-oneals-reign-over-your-media-has-only-just-begun/comment-page-1/#comment-12809 kneejerkNBA Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:27:02 +0000 http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/?p=2943#comment-12809 The Cavs just got brutalized on the P&R by Turk and Rashard so they add the single worst P&R defender in the league. Bravo, Ferry! I keed, I keed. Shaq is definitely an upgrade over the zombie who used to be known as Ilgauskus when it was still human. The Cavs just got brutalized on the P&R by Turk and Rashard so they add the single worst P&R defender in the league. Bravo, Ferry! I keed, I keed. Shaq is definitely an upgrade over the zombie who used to be known as Ilgauskus when it was still human.

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