Will Shaq make a difference in Cleavland?

I believe that Shaquille O'neal will be a big factor in the championship run of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Shaq has still something to show though he is in his downhill in his NBA career. Nevertheless, if he is healthy, he can provide a big lift in the middle of the Cleveland rotation. Ilgauskus will just be a second option with shaq in tow. Lebron James have a big fella helping him score.

Despite his age, Shaquille O'Neal can still play basketball. He might not the Shaq that he used to be and is no longer capable of leading teams to victories as he used to as the team's go-to-guy and main man but as a support or a sidekick, he's still more than good enough. O'Neal can still dominate one way or another can can rack up good numbers night in and night out. Playing along with LeBron James, Shaq can help Cleveland in a lot of different ways. I'll enumerate some of them.

1.) Shaquille O'Neal takes too much load of LeBron James. Shaq can still play, dominate, and overpower players inside. Even at 36 years of age, he's still so strong and can really attract double teams (at times, teams have to double team him). He's still as good as he is near the basket. That means taking away much pressure off LeBron James and probably the whole Cleveland team. With more breathing room, James can move a little more freely and do what he does best, outplay opposing players, shoot, score, and dish at the offensive end. The possibilities just improved for LeBron and the rest of the Cavaliers with Shaq.

2.) Shaq gives Cleveland a legitimate inside presence who can both score and defend. Zydrunas Ilgauskas is good but he's a liability defensively. Though he's tall, he can barely defend because he's either weaker or slower than opposing centers or big men. The likes of Dwight Howard, Kevin Garnett, and Chris Bosh can outplay Ilgauskas. With Shaq, the Cavaliers have become a more credible contender in the East, why? Because they can already keep up with Eastern Conference giants who are mostly led by big men. Shaq can play good defense and indeed a solid intimidating presence in the paint. Just ask Gilbert Arenas during the preseason games.

3.) Shaq is in the league for 18 years. He's won numerous MVP awards, won 4 titles (3 with the Lakers and 1 with the Heat), and led 3 of his 4 teams to at least a finals appearance. Shaq is a leader on his own right and though such leadership no longer shows on his skills, his experience will be valuable for Cleveland. Though he's obviously the leader for the Lakers in their title run, Shaq was a sidekick to Dwyane Wade during the 2006 Miami Heat championship. Either as a leader or as a support, Shaq can play his role very well. How much more with a player as good as LeBron James.

4.) Cleveland's roster is deeper and bigger. Having Shaq, Ilgauskas, and Anderson Varejao makes the Cavaliers a lot bigger. Though Orlando's big men might be more athletic and Boston's are more experienced, size would definitely matter. Shaq is 7'1, Ilgauskas stands 7'3, and Varejao at 6'11. Add to that LeBron standing 6'8 playing the small forward position. With a possible starting line-up of Shaq, Varejao, James, Anthony Parker, and Maurice Williams and Delonte West, Daniel Gibson, Ilgauskas, Jamario Moon, and Leon Powe coming off the bench, that's a handful for other teams. If Shaq and the rest of the Cavaliers get used to each other well, look out Lakers and Magic, the Cavaliers will be having a solid season.

Yes Shaq is gonna make a huge difference in Cleveland though not in a good way. Ever since he left the Lakers he has been ruining every team he has gone to lay for . I mean look at miami heat now, and phoenix, how the mighty have fallen. No one should ever sign Shaq unless your team already is no good.