Shaq To Cavs Trade Answers and Poses Questions

CLEVELAND - Shaquille O'Neal is indisputably one of the greatest, most dominant players in the history of basketball.

Now, he's teaming up with LeBron James, the best player in the world.

O'Neal was traded today to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the 5th team of his storied pro career. His arrival, made possible by the Cavs giving up essentially nothing to O'Neal's former team the Phoenix Suns, will certainly fill a major hole for Cleveland after their stunning loss to the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals last month.

But O'Neal will enter his 18th NBA season this autumn and will be a very ripe 38 years of age before the regular season ends. He is a far cry from the dominant force he was during his early years in Orlando and prime years with the L.A. Lakers due to his advanced pro hoops age. But there is no denying his skill and still formidable talent, not to mention his championship experience, and mental toughness.

He will fit well in Cleveland. Hopefully.

James, the resident superstar for the Cavs will greatly benefit from Shaq's presence as opposing defenses won't be able to swarm him as much as in the past. Cavs center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who has never been an aggressive player will likely become more effective as he won't be the team's only offensive big man. Anderson Varejao may become better defensively and can now play his natural power forward position.

That is, if Shaq holds up physically.

Bottom line; if O'Neal can defy age and play with the same passion, skill and fire as he did during his resurgence in Phoenix last season, and if he can avoid major injuries and play in the majority of the games, then Cleveland will challenge the reigning champion Lakers for the '09-'10 NBA.

That's a lot of ifs.

Shaq's 45 Points A Reminder Of His Place in History

CLEVELAND - Shaquille O'Neal's first game in the NBA was so long ago that the first George Bush was still U.S. president. Michael Jordan was still in his 20's, O.J. Simpson not only hadn't killed anyone yet, but he was beloved by most Americans. Heck, even the Internet was publicly unknown.

That must make O'Neal a senior citizen by now.

Judging by his performance last night, he's not quite ready for a rocking chair just yet. The 17-year pro dominated his way to an unexpected 45 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a 133-113 dismantling of visiting Toronto. It was O'Neal's highest point total in six years, since back when he played for the L.A. Lakers.

He even made a scintillating 20-of-25 shots.

I was reminded of Shaq's heyday with this performance, back when he was completely indefensible in the painted area (basketball term) and a nightmare for the opposition. Back in 1995, O'Neal (paired with then-superstar Penny Hardaway) matched up with the great Hakeem Olajuwon in the NBA Finals and got outplayed badly. When he returned to that stage five years later as a Lakers superstar, he was coming off his only MVP season which saw him average close to 30 points and 14 rebounds per game (playing alongside a 21-year old Kobe Bryant).

He was larger than life, averaging 38 and 17 in the '00 Finals.

The man was nothing short of excellent in leading the Lakers to three straight championships from 2000 to 2002. Even Bryant's occasional insolence could not curtail the legacy that Shaq was building, which has been heavily criticized. True, he has never been the hardest worker or a good free throw shooter, but his immense size and agility combined to make him one of the biggest "game changers" in history.

And his sense of humor is a guilty pleasure.

Bottom line, I hope O'Neal continues his resurgence this season in Phoenix and treats us to a few more "Biggie and Tupac Era" performances. Back when 40 and 20 was always a possibility and Suge Knight was making snide remarks about Sean Combs at awards shows. Okay, maybe not that last part but you get the picture.

Next week Shaq turns a ripe 37 years old. The rest of us are celebrating a week early.