12/21/24
June 25, 2009
Shaq traded to Cavs on eve of draft: In exchange for the 37-year-old, 15-time All-Star, the Suns will get about $10 million in savings by acquiring Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic and then releasing Pavlovic, who has only $1.5 million of his $4.95 million salary guaranteed. Phoenix also gets the 46th pick in Thursday night's draft and $500,000. Phoenix and Cleveland have discussed an O'Neal deal since before the February trade deadline. O'Neal was a third-team All-NBA pick this year after playing in 75 games and averaging 17.8 points and 8.4 rebounds with career-best 60.9 percent shooting.
posted by tommytrump to basketball at 01:26 AM - 9 comments
This move will allow Ilgauskas to move to his natural position, shooting guard.
+1
posted by yerfatma at 08:21 AM on June 25, 2009
Interesting move. If Diesel doesn't run out of gas, he could see Dwight Howard in the playoffs.
How does Shaq work for the Cavs when LeBron likes so much room to work inside?
posted by rcade at 08:51 AM on June 25, 2009
Brilliant move - reduce LeBron to a jump shooter by clogging the middle. LeBron's shot improved much this past year, but ultimately his effectiveness comes from his ability to drive the ball. Opponent's defensive focus was to force LeBron into being a jump shooter, many were not successful, but Cleveland management has solved that problem.
posted by cixelsyd at 10:22 AM on June 25, 2009
Brilliant move - reduce LeBron to a jump shooter by clogging the middle
It was obvious that Cavs needed help with Howard. Did you expect Cavs not to get a big guy? Besides, Lebron will be fine with a "clogged middle"
posted by sgtcookzane at 10:29 AM on June 25, 2009
Shaq may be slow in transition, but he knows how to clear the lane, take a defender with him, then move into position for the easy outlet pass and dunk underneath. This is a no brainer, and immediately elevates the Cavs back to being the team to beat in the east, much more so than Orlando.
posted by MW12 at 02:28 PM on June 25, 2009
The Suns are a sex scandal away from becoming the New New York Knicks. Sarver should be congratulated on the speed with which he has demolished this team.
I can only hope Nash winds on the Knicks and Zeke ends up on the Suns coaching staff to complete this bizzare turnaround.
posted by cjets at 02:29 PM on June 25, 2009
The Big Shaq-a-Lier...
posted by BornIcon at 10:35 AM on June 26, 2009
Orlando just topped the baffling Shaq trade .... they give up Courtney Lee and Rafer Alston for ??? Vince Carter ??? and will probably lose Turkoglu to boot.
Celtics are once again the team to beat in the East.
posted by cixelsyd at 12:54 PM on June 26, 2009
This move will allow Ilgauskas to move to his natural position, shooting guard.
If the Titanic (Shraq) hits a berg on Lake Erie, it'll be the Lithuania not the Carpathia picking up the survivors.