Lebron and Shaq: Match made in heaven?

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By Chase Trichell

Shaquille O'Neal is headed to Cleveland to join Lebron James. The Cavaliers will be Shaq's third team in four seasons and fifth team overall. O'Neal, who turns 38 next March, may be making his final bid for his fifth NBA Championship.

In 1992, Shaq was drafted out of LSU with the No. 1 pick by the Orlando Magic. After failing to win a Championship in Orlando after four seasons, O'Neal was signed by the Los Angeles Lakers in one of the biggest free agent signings of all time. Alongside Kobe Bryant, Shaq won three NBA titles in eight seasons before their relationship turned sour and he was traded to the Miami Heat.

After promising the Miami Heat fans an NBA title, Shaq and new wingman Dwyane Wade made good on the promise and delivered the Heat a title in year two of the Heat era. Shaq missed many games the following two seasons and Miami was unable to continue their success. After four seasons with the Heat the team decided to ship the big man to Phoenix in an attempt to shed some money.

Shaq joined the two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash and the, at the time, first place Phoenix Suns. In his first season with the Suns, O'Neal averaged a career low 12.9 points in 28 games as Phoenix lost in the first round of the playoffs to the San Antonio Spurs, a huge disappointment for a squad that was favored by many to make some noise.

Shaq's scoring improved in his second season with the Suns, averaging 17.8 points per game, but Phoenix failed to make the playoffs. Many speculated that with Shaq's fatigued body and the Sun's desire to get younger, that the big man's stay would be short live. This could be seen last week when the Suns shipped him to Cleveland to trim cap space.

The new deal pairs Shaq with last year's MVP LeBron James, which places him with yet another dominant wing man.

Shaquille O'Neal, who stands a commanding 7'1" and 325 pounds, has been named an NBA All-Star 15 times in 18 seasons. His career averages of 25.2 points per game, 11.5 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks put him in elite company all the time. His shooting percentage is over 58% and he also has four NBA Championship rings. The one thing Shaq may not have is time, which is why Shaq is happier than ever to be beside the most feared player in basketball, not named Kobe Bryant.

Lebron James' Cavaliers were swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2007 NBA Finals and were surprisingly put out of the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals by the Orlando Magic. Lebron seemed to have all but one thing on his past teams: a dominant big man. Shaquille O'Neal and Tim Duncan have combined to win eight of the last 11 NBA Championships. The Cavaliers had Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Anderson Varejao. Lebron James and Shaquille O'Neal: a match made in heaven or another pit-stop for Shaq?

Originally Published: Issue 806 - July 1, 2009

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