The Curse of Shaquille O’Neal
Shaquille O’Neal is easily one of the most identifiable NBA superstars. This year he started the season with his 5th team in his career. Many think he is one the most dominant post players in the league, but in reality he is far from it. He’s nothing but a curse that will prevent Lebron James from winning a NBA Championship in Cleveland. Check out Shaq’s player statistics here.
Shaquille O’Neal was one of the most dominating players to ever play the game, but that player is long gone. The owners and general managers still believe he has the talent, and are willing to take a risk on him to bring a championship ring. The Cleveland Cavaliers took this risk and completely ignored what he did to the Phoenix Suns organization.
The Phoenix Suns took the same risk in 2007 and the results speak for themselves. After one and half seasons with the Phoenix Suns, there are no championship banners hanging from the rafters. Shaquille O’Neal is no longer mobile enough to be a dominate force in the middle. When he was in Phoenix, the coaching staff slowed down the pace of play, and tailored their offense to him, taking away the strengths of that team. Steve Nash no longer had the ability to penetrate as freely with Shaq’s immobile body in the lane. This also slowed the development of Amare Stoudamire. Sure the Phoenix Suns were never going to win a championship with their slow paced offense, but they at least were a threat to win a championship.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are taking the same risk as the Phoenix Suns did, and the same results will be seen. They made the decision to acquire Shaquille O’Neal to keep Lebron James happy, and hope he can help bring a title to Cleveland. Instead, this experiment will last a year or two and the Cavaliers will have no championships and the same results. Shaq will clog the middle in Cleveland just like in Phoenix, and will hurt one of Lebron’s biggest strengths, which is his ability to get to the rim. Shaq’s defender does not have to worry about him stepping back and knocking down an outside shot, so they’ll be able to come and help challenge Lebron’s drives. Cleveland will regress this year and potentially hurt their chances of keeping Lebron, due to a drop in their record and their play off run.
Until Shaq retires, there will always be a team willing to take a risk on him, thinking he is the missing link to their organization. Every experiment will fail and your organization will be set back for years, depending on what players you traded to obtain him, or salary commitments. Organizations should never consider acquiring Shaq as they will have nothing but wasted seasons and disappointing results. Shaquille O’ Neal brings a lot of hype and excitement to a city and organization, but definitely not a championship ring.
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Author: RZ
RZ is the godfather of the site. When he is not sipping on the sweet nectars of a local vineyard's product, he can be found practicing yoga or reading classics from the Romantic Era. He considers himself one of the few remaining of the endangered species known as the "Distinguished Gentleman."
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4 Comments
2010-01-09
19:47:02
He surely is one of the most "identifiable". When he first was drafted and played for Orlando I used to see him all the time. He used to drive this little convertible and his head would be above the glass. It was really kinda funny.
2010-01-09
19:50:43
oh and I probably shouldn't mention it but whatever it was over ten years ago, he asked me for my phone number. I laughed and drove away. I wonder if he remembers that too.
2010-01-10
03:47:02
He surely is one of the most "identifiable". When he first was drafted and played for Orlando I used to see him all the time. He used to drive this little convertible and his head would be above the glass. It was really kinda funny.
2010-01-10
03:50:43
oh and I probably shouldn't mention it but whatever it was over ten years ago, he asked me for my phone number. I laughed and drove away. I wonder if he remembers that too.