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A new sheriff
By VR Bryant
Ta-ta, Sasha. And adios to Big Ben's big contract. The Cavaliers have moved on up to the proverbial east side, to that deluxe apartment in the sky that only the presence of the Big Aristotle.
It's a move motivated mostly by how soundly Cleveland was torn apart by Orlando's super-sized front line, and a welcome one at that. The exit of the ever-transient Pavlovic and the ancient Wallace is of very little consequence, considering the newly perceived barriers in LeBron's path to a title.
If it works, it will be Danny Ferry's single greatest stroke-the problem is that for it to 'work', the 2009-10 season will need to end with nos. 23 and 32 hoisting the 24K-plated ball-and-bucket together. So what are the reasonable odds of that happening?
That's the real question. Nobody seems to be diametrically opposed to the deal; mostly, it seems, people are into it. Even if it's just a cutesy curiosity, the addition of the most dominant center in the last fifteen years is a hit on most peoples' lists. But will this experiment produce a trophy?
That will become clear only with time. Meanwhile, I think we should all take notice that Shaq is not Ben Wallace. Shaq is not Larry Hughes. Shaq is neither Donyell Marshall nor Drew Gooden. Shaq is Shaq. Like him or not, he is an entity that remains as potent as he ever was. For better or for worse, he demands your attention.
He'll bring a bigger spotlight onto Cleveland than ever before, if that were possible. LeBron James is already the center of the basketball world. Kobe has his rings, and that's lovely. But that story already has a beginning, a middle, and an end. People are ready to read Bron's book.
Thus far, it's clear that James is meant for the upper echelon. Since joining the club in 2003-04, the Cavs have suffered just one sub-.500 season (his first), and have won 50 or more games as many times in his six-year tenure (three) as they had in the previous 30 seasons. This past year's 66 wins bested the previous mark (57) by plenty, and if (read: when) they make the playoffs next year, the five-year postseason streak will match the franchise mark.
With Shaq in the picture, however, there are no more excuses. Great isn't good enough. This is an all-or-nothing move. If it works, Ferry's a genius and LeBron gets his first ring right on schedule (Jordan got his first in his seventh season, too). If it fails, well...let's not talk about it.
For me, Shaq in a Cavs uni is not a concept I'm yet ready to process fully. I'm pretty new to the fold, and I still remember the Ricky Davis/Darius Miles/Smush Parker days. Truth be told, I kinda liked 'em.
At some point, Shaquille O'Neal will ride off into the sunset on his gargantuan hoss - some mythic, Mongo-worthy beast to be sure - having already assured himself a place at the grown-ups' table. His role in NBA legend is star-status. The question is, is his latest part a true swansong, or just a way to cash a check?
Originally Published: July 1, 2009
