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Shaq smiles on Cleveland

A diesel-powered enigma

By Thomas Silvers

Shaquille O'Neal was one of the best players in the NBA during the 1990s and early 2000s. He could totally and fundamentally change the way an opposing team prepared for and played a game. He was arguably the most dominant player in the league during that time. Note that I am saying "was." Shaq "was" the player for whom every general manager would trade his first-born son.

But that day has disappeared. Forever.

Cleveland Cavaliers fans need to be hoping, praying and crossing their proverbial fingers that the Cavalier's front office does not think that Shaq is the player he once was. It's common knowledge that the Cavs are missing something that will bring the championship that they and all of Cleveland so desperately covet. Twice, the team has made it deep into the playoffs during the reign of King James, and twice they have fallen short.

Experts debate and squabble about what the Cavs are missing, the chink in their armor.

Is it a pure point guard to lead the attack? Or how about a big man other than the aging Ilgauskas to take up some space in the middle? Well, one of these questions received a resounding answer during the 2009 playoffs - someone other than Big Z is needed in the middle. Dwight Howard battered the Cavaliers' middle as if it was his God-given mission in life. The Cavs front office decided this need was of immediate importance, and thus The Big Aristotle has arrived.

At this stage in his career, is Shaq really that much different than Ilgauskas?

Over the last few years, the two have had very similar rebounding numbers, while Shaq has admittedly scored more points. However, all Cleveland fans know that the team has never looked to Ilgauskas to put up big scoring numbers. Shaq is better around the basket even this far into his career, but Z has considerably more range and towers over O'Neal when it comes to free-throws. Some may argue that The Diesel still intimidates and commands respect, but as every year passes, that intimidation diminishes; aging inevitably slows everyone down, especially when you stand more than seven feet tall and weigh more than 300 pounds.

Even with the questions surrounding the Cavs' personnel holes, perhaps the biggest concern surrounds an astronomically big hole - the one left behind in the event that LeBron packs his bags. The King says that he is happy in Cleveland, but I believe it is only a matter of time before the years of coming "oh-so-close" start to wear him down.

If I was him, I would want to see my team looking to the future and planning ahead. Shaq is 37 and is entering the final year of his contract. All signs are pointing to him wanting to return, so do the Cavs really want to shell out the major dollars he is sure to command? If not, he is a one-year attempt at a "fix." If I was him, I would not be impressed.

But, then again, I'm not him. I'm a writer. In that case, World Champs in 2010!

Originally Published: July 1, 2009

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