Let me be the first to offer this. (hopefully)

by Rock Creator on Jun 25, 2009 9:30 AM CDT Comment 31 comments

With the big trade the Cavaliers became even more dangerous. They have shaq in their front court now and no matter what you may think about his inside game these days - Is it dwindling? Is he getting old? - The fact remains that Shaq cannot be ignored down low. the only thing missing from this team is consistent play from Mo Williams and Delonte West. If they had performed in the playoffs we may be talking about a pretty much locked repeat.

We also know that Shaq is huge on nicknames. He gets them everywhere he goes. Now I hate to build up to something if it's not going to have any punch, so I apologize if this has already been said. I'd like to propose Shaq's new nickname for the Cavaliers.

The Big Shaqalier

It's pretty obvious but when I thought of it I thought it fit pretty well with the nicknames he's had in the past. Sorry again if this seems to corny or someone has already suggested it.

This is a Fan-Created Comment on FearTheSword.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff at FearTheSword

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Pick and Roll defense anyone?

Some people swear they down as can be
Turns out those same Homies Sit down to pee

by I blocked Patrick Chewing on Jun 25, 2009 11:04 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Bitter, scared Detroit fan, anyone? Enjoy your next few years of total irrelevance as we dominate the division.

Ride on ye fearsome Horsemen of the Basketball Apocalypse. We got this.

by Turkmenbashi on Jun 25, 2009 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Seriously Turk?

Or should I congratulate you on being clever and blatantly calling a Magic fan a Detroit fan to bring to light their dominance over us…

You know like the dominance that makes Lebron leave with no handshake and has you crowing about dominating a division rather than a conference?

Bottom line Jamison and James could have canceled out whoever Orlando has as their forwards next year.

Shaq will LAUGH at the mere mention of Being called the King’s Prince.

I hope that option in the poll was purely satire.

IF anything the Pregame skits should be Awesome!!!

Some people swear they down as can be
Turns out those same Homies Sit down to pee

by I blocked Patrick Chewing on Jun 25, 2009 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yikes man, sorry. I’ve had a bad couple of days and shouldn’t have snapped like that, in addition to getting your team allegiance wrong. My bad, dude.

Ride on ye fearsome Horsemen of the Basketball Apocalypse. We got this.

by Turkmenbashi on Jun 25, 2009 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

baby

Bleeding blue and white and black and gold.

by raimman on Jul 13, 2009 5:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bleeding blue and white and black and gold.

you may want to have that looked at…

by DontCallMeJoey on Jul 13, 2009 5:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

this is a huge misconception. while the cavs didn’t defend the pick and roll particularly well, and shaq doesn’t either, that was not what sunk us this season. period.

by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 25, 2009 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let me get this straight

Because you were more terrible in another area of your game this is not to be addressed or as you put it, is a “misconception” ?

Like the cavs NBA best record was a misconception of their capabilities because of their record vs Lakers Magic and Celtics?

Some people swear they down as can be
Turns out those same Homies Sit down to pee

by I blocked Patrick Chewing on Jun 25, 2009 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

talk about conflating completely unrelated issues. that the cavs had the nba’s best record in 08/09 is a 100%, indisputable, unequivocal fact. there’s nothing to be “conceptualized” here. it just is. end of story.

there was nothing terrible about the cavs this year, and to say so is to really hack at your own credibility. they were 77-20, there’s no room for terrible in that math. the cavs’ biggest issue was post defense. period. shaq addresses the post defense.

the pick and roll didn’t beat them against the magic, the inability to effectively get in howard’s way did. if they had defended howard better in the post, you would be hearing nothing about the pick and roll. and besides, i’m not sure any team is ever going to do everything well.

by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 25, 2009 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

As a Magic Fan

Howard in the post is a Joke.

Some people swear they down as can be
Turns out those same Homies Sit down to pee

by I blocked Patrick Chewing on Jun 25, 2009 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

what does this even mean? the strongest non-shaq in the nba is a joke in the post?

by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 25, 2009 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I actually agree with the Magic fan. Howard wasn’t very good in the post against the Cavs in that series. He brought the ball down to his knees as was stripped by everyone from LeBron to Anderson to West. He beat Z a couple times with a quick baseline move, but Howard in the post was barely notable in that series. His rebounding and finishing on pick and rolls with Hedo was the big, glaring weakness.

That, and of course Mo’s poor play.

by Ryan Kelsey on Jun 26, 2009 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Howard in the post was barely notable in that series. His rebounding and finishing on pick and rolls with Hedo was the big, glaring weakness.

this is just not true. he averaged 25.8ppg on 65% shooting in the series…that was mostly on pick and roll finishes? listen, i agree that howard’s post offense isn’t pretty or refined, but his presence in the post is what the cavs had issues with. if you singled him, he would “beat Z…with a quick baseline move” or a quick move to the paint, so mike brown thought he needed to be doubled, which freed up the shooters.

his rebounding was, of course, monster, but the pick and roll is being way overplayed as a problem for the cavs in that series. it was doubling howard to prevent him from getting easy baskets, not b/c of his refined jump hooks, and the open shots that resulted.

by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 26, 2009 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, we were sending an extra guy his way once he caught the ball, but that is when they struggled. He wasn’t kicking out for open shots that often. I don’ t think he had many assists, or even the hockey-extra-pass assists in the series. The open shots came from Turkoglu drives and pick and rolls.

On defense, I came away from that series begging for more length from our 2 spot and more flexibility from our 4 spot.

Now, I love the Shaq moves for two other reasons- rebounding and a low post scoring option that we haven’t had since Z a couple years ago.

by Ryan Kelsey on Jun 26, 2009 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

we saw the series completely differently, then.

to me it was rather clear that we could guard turk and lewis effectively enough on a one-on-one basis (turk shot 39% w/ west guarding him for most of the series), but when we sent the double to keep howard out of the paint, we were left scrambling to cover their shooters as the ball whipped around the perimeter.

with a single-teamer on howard, we win the series…i’m completely convinced of that.

by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 26, 2009 2:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am with you on this. While we did struggle against the pick n roll, the Magic didn;t run it enough for it to be the difference. The Cavs doubled Howard every possession the whole series, leaving the wide open shooters. The Magic didn’t get “lucky” per se, they were nailing open shots

by Roger Dorn on Jun 26, 2009 8:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for stopping by to bash the Cavs again. We really missed that.

by Buckeye Brad on Jun 25, 2009 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It would almost be awesome if Malor signed up here.

by rufio on Jun 29, 2009 10:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not good enough

I agree Shaq can still play down low, but that would mean he will have to get many touches, and that would mean the ball will start with him and not Lebron! What will Lebron do? stand on the sides and shoot if shaq passes to him?(Lebron’s jump shot sucks!) That will take away Lebron’s play making ability. And LBJ’s play making is penetrate and pass to an open shooter, not to the crowded post. So if the ball starts with Lebron, that would mean Shaq will get fewer touches, which he doesn’t like. Say the Cavs got Shaq for defensive purposes,which I doubt, that would mean Shaq will have to run to get back on D specially vs Howard, and he can’t run anymore. Shaq will lag on defense. What the Cavs need is a defensive center(i.e Birdman) and a consistent wingman shooter (i.e Hamilton) But even with that I still don’t believe it’s enough to win a championship. Here is why. Until Lebron can consistently hit his jump shots, then the Cavs wont win in close games, coz Lebron is way too inconsistent on clutch shots. The Cavs will have to get someone who can knock down end game shots. Until then, I’l say it here, Lebron may never win an NBA championship.

by ballblogger on Jun 25, 2009 11:50 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Lebron shot well in the playoffs

by Roger Dorn on Jun 25, 2009 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow. this is all kinds of wrong. were you trying to be 100% incorrect? b/c if so, well done…you nailed it.

by DontCallMeJoey on Jun 25, 2009 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

+1

Some people swear they down as can be
Turns out those same Homies Sit down to pee

by I blocked Patrick Chewing on Jun 25, 2009 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+2

Stopped reading after (Lebron’s jump shot sucks). Only proves you didn’t watch the Cavs much this year so, how can you pretend to know what the Cavs need?

So I told her," I'll be nicer if you try to be smarter!'..That was a mistake.

by Juannieboy on Jun 25, 2009 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cleveland Needs More than Shaq

Would Shaq of solved that issues that did not allow the Cavs to beat the Magic? Maybe in the sense that it would not of required for the Cavs to double D. Howard. But what about the perimeter defense? Lebron is probably the best defender on the team on the perimeter but yet the Cavs have no one else. Every team that aspires to win a title will require that another player or players step up defensively. Especially how much of a liability Shaq is in the fourth quarter and on the pic n’ roll. Just look at Kobe and Wade’s stats in the fourth quarter during the year’s they they help win Shaq his rings. They literally had to carry the team. If not, the following image might also be the demise of the Cavs just as it was for the Suns…

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jun 25, 2009 10:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

First off, I hope you are willing to hear me out on this and not just come on to another team’s blog to bash them.

Maybe in the sense that it would not of required for the Cavs to double D. Howard. But what about the perimeter defense?

The two are not mutually exclusive. Not having to double down on D. Howard (or P.Gasol, Y.Ming, etc.) is a tremendous advantage (over a team that has to double down to defend against the center). This allows the perimeter defenders the ability to stick with their man and avoid giving up open threes or drive and kicks, which are what killed the Cavs vs. the Magic (when D.Howard wasn’t killing them down low). You are correct that Lebron is the cavs’ best perimeter defender (102.8 Defensive rating) Delonte West probably the second best perimeter defender of the starting group is a decent but not spectacular defender (105.8 Defensive rating). Mo Williams is the weakest of the group, but Mike Brown’s help defense tends to limit his exposure. So yes perimeter defense is still an issue, but this move does in fact improve the perimeter defense by limiting/reducing the need to double team down low and waste any help on a post player.

by hans on Jun 26, 2009 1:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not talking trash

If anything this is more of a Jab on O’neal. But as far as the Cavs you pointed out the same things that I was mentioning. My main point is that although this does help the Cavs on one way it does cause other weaknesess. Especially Shaq’s inability or unwillingness to defend the pic n roll. Either way, it was the Lakers length that bothered the Magic and the fact that the Lakers best player (kobe) did not have to worry about guarding Turk because of Ariza and whether you want to accept it or not the Cavs did not solve that by acquiring shaq. The perimeter defenders are still not that good to defend the Magic. Many Laker fans have been talking about how tough this makes the Cavs but when it comes down to it we only have to worry about one team and that is whoever comes out of the east. I am just not sure whether Shaq puts the Cavs over the top and makes them that one team to come out of the East. Either way, I would love to see the Lakers play the Cavs in the Finals.

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jun 26, 2009 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Truth

The truth is that we not only need someone who can play post defense, but we also need another perimeter player with some length.

I doubt that anyone will argue about that. The Lakers had both. That is why the Magic’s inside outside game didn’t work in the Finals. However this does bring the Cavs a step closer to where they need to be. We still need a 6’5" or preferably taller guy who can match up with the Rashard Lewis’, Turkeyglue’s, Ariza’s, etc.

While Delonte is a very good defender, he doesn’t have the size to match up with the Magic.

It does aggravate me that we didn’t isolate Delonte on offense against Hedo. When we did, it worked. The Magic imposed their game on us, and we tried to adjust. We should have imposed our game on them, and forced the Magic to adjust. Make them have to play small ball. Idk….maybe I’m wrong, but sometimes I think Mike Brown lacks offensive mind.

by zdub1983 on Jun 26, 2009 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree our glaring need is Athleticism and height at the 2 position. I think Danny Green can be that guy we are looking for. He doesn’t have to start by any means. This league depends alot on role players and Danny Green is a perfect role player for us. He has height and athleticism with a fairly good outside shot. Also he was on the All ACC Defensive Team. Which is always nice. Getting a guy who can come in and start contributing on Defense is always a plus.

by BornInThePound on Jun 26, 2009 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes this is right on the money. We need to let the whole offseason unfold. The Mid-level exception will likely go to the type of player that will help gaurd on the wings.

by hans on Jun 27, 2009 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think we are close to an agreement, but I think the Cavs’ defense is being low balled here a bit. This same defense had the third best Defensive rating in the league last season (Orlando was no.1 and Boston no.2). I’m feeling a little more confident in the Cavs’ abililty to defend against Orlando now that they won’t have to double team the center/post player. I do agree that it helped Kobe to have Ariza on Turk, and I’m hoping the Cavs will be able to find a player to use their mid level on that will be able to guard the opposing team’s best perimeter defender.

I also want to bring to the point that a point defended and a point earned are about equal in value, so not only does Shaq bring in better low post defense, but now our offense should be better than last season’s by replacing Ben Wallace (no offensive value) and Sasha (little value) with a player that had the highest FG% in the league of qualified players. These are points that the other team (be it Orlando or whoever) will have to make up for on their offensive end.

by hans on Jun 27, 2009 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I defenitely think that the Cavs defense is one of the best in the league. However, since the playoffs become a more strategic game other teams get their weaknesess exposed. The Lakers were one of the best two years ago defensively. Yet when they played the Celtics they were exposed. Their is still time to make changes starting July 1st. Let’s see what happens.

good point about Shaq being better as a low post defender. The one thing that Shaq always brings is his ability to open up the floor. Out of the top three teams in the East, only two had big men in the middle who commanded a double team KG and Howard. Now you can add the Cavs to that list. The only thing that I am curious to see is how the Cavs take advantage of that on the offensive end. Will they play and inside outside game or will they simply give Lebron the ball and let him do his thing. Very interested in seeing that.

by PURPLE AND GOLD FOR LIFE on Jun 27, 2009 11:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs