The Cleveland Cavaliers may have found the missing piece to a championship team by landing Shaq in a trade last week with the Phoenix Suns.
By Bryan Mongeau-Eastmond, staff writer
CLEVELAND (RPRN) 7/03/2009– The 2009 NBA post season did not end the way the way the Cleveland Cavaliers had envisioned it. But similar to everyday life, nothing is guaranteed in the world of sports.
It was supposed to be “King†James versus Kobe Bryant. We were supposed to see the game’s top two players go head-to-head in a much anticipated finals.
No it did not happened this way as the league’s most valuable player LeBron James and the Cavs failed to reach the finals losing to the Orlando Magic in six games. Despite posting the best regular season record in the league (66-16), the Cavs were unable to get over the playoff hump. But the answer may have come in the shape of the 7 ft 1 Shaquille O’Neal better known as Big Shaq.
O’Neal, who has played 17 NBA seasons with Los Angeles, Orlando, Miami and Phoenix is taking his act to Cleveland after a trade last week. “LeBron’s not going to do it by himself,†O’Neal stated. “I’m just here to do my part and help a damn good team get over the hump. It’s LeBron’s team. I’m here. He’s the captain. I’m here to protect The King.â€
The 15-time all-star is no stranger to helping franchise players get to the promise land. O’Neal won three NBA titles with Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers from 2000-02 and another with Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat in 2006.
There is no real reason to think that No. 5 won’t be in the near future with “the great” LeBron James by his side.
“They had a damn good team here already,†he said referring to his new team. “I’ll fit in just fine.â€
IN OTHER RELATED NEWS
The highly controversial forward Ron Artest, has signed a three-year deal with the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. Trevor Ariza will take his place with the Huston Rockets.
Photo of Shaq laughing it up with Lebron before a game courtesy of the National Basketball Association.
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