And the #1 Pick In The 2009 NBA Draft Is...Shaquille O'Neal?

by Matt Brannen

Blake Griffin may make for a great NBA player. I'll even settle for a "very good" NBA player. However, the main story tonight at the NBA Draft was not Griffin being the first pick in the draft to the Clippers (Aside: Is there some kind of league rule where the moribund Clippers get the #1 pick at least once a decade?), it was the trade of Shaquille O'Neal to Cleveland. Hoping to capture the same magic that Shaq had with Penny in Orlando, Kobe in L.A., and D-Wade in Miami, the Cavs made the move that most experts felt they had to: Trade for the future Hall of Fame center and team him with LeBron James.

There is no question that Cleveland General Manager Danny Ferry is feeling the pressure of having James under contract for only 1 more season. The 2009-2010 campaign will be the organization's final chance to win the title with James under his current contract. As I mentioned in a previous post, after the Cavs lost to Orlando in the Eastern Conference Finals, rumors swirled that Cleveland would move heaven and earth to bring in a top-flight talent to team with "King James." Now, they have one of the most recognizable names in the game and the initial reaction is that Cleveland is the odds-on favorite to not only win the Eastern Conference, but win the title outright next June.

Being the skeptic that I am, I'm not ready for the basketball "talking heads" to hand Cleveland the title just yet. I mean, isn't this the same Shaquille O'Neal that was supposed to deliver a title to a Phoenix team a couple of years ago that was on the cusp of the championship? Plus, while O'Neal has come a long ways in admitting (whether it be vocally or in his play) that he is not the dominating offensive force that he was in his prime, a true basketball fan has to recognize that the other 3 guys on the floor with James and O'Neal aren't going to see the ball a whole lot of time this coming season. While going to the somewhat slower style of play in the Eastern Conference will probably benefit O'Neal and his power game, that may also create the issue of him expecting more shots. Cleveland head coach Mike Brown must be both ringing his hands in excitement at the prospects of having both superstars, while waiting for his glass of Alka-Seltzer to be ready for consumption. This is because he certainly knows that there are no excuses now. O'Neal will be painted as the "final piece of the puzzle" and it will be Brown's job to make him fit. Ask the Los Angeles Lakers "Dream Team" of Shaq, Kobe, Gary Payton, and Karl Malone how well having so many great players on one team worked out for them in the long run.

The period around the NBA draft saw several blockbusters moves: Vince Carter going to Orlando, Richard Jefferson taking his game to San Antonio, and a reported trade of Amare Stoudamire to Golden State round out the moves that we know or have heard about involving big ticket players. Yet, no one move has captivated the basketball universe like Shaq being traded to Cleveland. Only time will tell if the deal will be ultimately successful. By this time next year, LeBron James may cement his place as the top player in the game by winning an NBA title with O'Neal at his side. However, if that doesn't happen, the questions about James' ability to win the greatest prize will only continue to grow...