The Windhorst Tracker - (Shaq for Ben and Sasha?)

[Benedict_Boozer]

Wow... that would definately give the Cavs a ton of lineup options. I really like the lineup with Shaq, LeBron, Jefferson, West, Mo...!

Well if we are talking Jefferson AND Shaq I might change my tune...

Lebron would have to play some PF and Jefferson SF since we'd be losing some big man depth at the 4

 

[Smooth]

WINDHORST CHAT STARTING:

LISTEN NOW

 

[RonG]

two things

1. if shaq is a Cav, Shaq Starts at Center. no offense to Z, but Shaqs an all-star

2. does Shaq really ruin Chemistry? Ben is a great team guy. and we know lebron likes Sasha. But Shaq doesn't come in with an attitude problem. except for the whole shaq/kobe fued, Shaq has always been known to be a great teammate.

teammates like him, he's always joking about something or another.

we might take some time to get him acclimated but chemistry won't be an issue adding shaq

Z was playing All star BBall before his injury actully better than shaq if I am remebering correctly, he knows our offense and defense inside and out. If it came down to it Z would start, however Z would offer to come off the bench, where as Shaq would never be that selfless.

 

[Number1Starter]

Not to get into unnecessary trade conjuring but I wouldn't be surprised to see if Phoenix also tries to unload Jason Richardson, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Cavs were interested. Richardson could either start at the 2 and move Delonte to the bench for some much needed scoring from the guards in the second unit or Richardson could even do that. This would also allow some more salary for Phoenix to shed. A package around Wally, Sasha, and Snow, maybe. Though Snow's contract has already only been linked to a big-time move.

 

[All Day Cavs]

GET ME SHAQ
GET ME SHAQ
GET ME THE BIG CAVALIER!!!!

 

[Jon]

This is a much more balanced deal, salary wise.

As I said when it first came up that Phoenix would much prefer to deal Shaq, Wally+Snow would be giving Phoenix a ton of salary relief - but I think it's too much. A Ben for Shaq deal moves a big contract for a bigger contract.

Anyway, I don't think this would be an act of desperation. Shaq is still a guy who can deter other teams from scoring around the rim and if you feed him the ball near the hoop - he will score. Ben's far more mobile as a defender and can get out and cover P&R's or switch on them, but we'd still have Andy for that role.

Would he clog the paint on offense? Sure. The difference is that if we get him the ball in the middle of that clog ... he's going to score and/or go to the line ... PLUS ... we wouldn't have a problem playing inside/out feeding him in the post and using his passing ability.

And you know if he's on the floor, Gasol and Odom aren't going to be scoring on us from 2ft from the rim. They'll be stepping away and shooting J's. And can anyone else in the league besides Shaq man up .vs. Dwight?

And if he needs days off? We'll, we just did ok giving Ben a day off. There'll be opportunities.

 

[marcvstraianvs]

Shaq and Jefferson is possible

 

[TigerBuckeye313]

I also can't access the chat. I am on a Mac and Safari says it can't load the plug-in. I'm assuming that anything important will be relayed into the forum?

 

[ChicagoCavFan]

One thing is CERTAIN. A Ben for Shaq deal would do NOTHING for our free throw percentage.

:chuckles:

 

[Smooth]

POSTED: Feb. 19 -- 12:03 a.m.

Shaquille O'Neal and LeBron James?

ESPN.com contributor Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting that the Cavs have offered Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic to the Phoenix Suns for O'Neal.

And sources close to the process have confirmed to ESPN.com that the teams are indeed in talks involving O'Neal, which would offer the Suns some of the payroll relief they've been seeking. Because only $1.5 million of Pavlovic's contract is guaranteed next season, Phoenix would slice $5.5 million off of its 2009-10 payroll if it agreed to send Shaq to the Cavs.

It's believed, though, that the Suns are resistant to taking back Wallace and thus trying to convince Cleveland to part with Wally Szczerbiak's $13.8 million expiring contract instead, which would turn this into a huge financial windfall for Phoenix.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=TradeTalkRoundup-090218

No way do I give up Wally's contract for Shaq... Heck, I might not even want to give up Ben for Shaq..

 

[cavsfever]

I really think Shaq fits well with Z, because they are both players who IMO are most effective playing about 25-28 minutes per game. Obviously you don't want them on the court at the same time too much, but the two of them together gives you 48 minutes of basically all-star level center performance. Shaq is far from the old Shaq but based on his performance this year he's still one of the best centers in the game. I think he'd be really motivated to win a final ring with Lebron too.

One concern I would have is that I think Lebron's offensive style is helped by having open driving lanes in the paint, and Shaq would mess with that a bit by clogging things up. Both he and Lebron are very sharp players, though, so maybe they could work it out. Another issue is Shaq's defense within Mike Brown's team scheme, the guy isn't exactly fast enough to switch easily at this point in his career.

Not sure if Shaq could stand Cleveland, though, fun in the sun has been the one consistent theme of his career so far (Orlando, LA, Miami, Phoenix). Maybe Lebron could take him out and show him what a party town Akron is.

 

[Benedict_Boozer]

Yeah not interesting in dealing Wally for Shaq and helping out the Suns with a sweetheart deal. Ferry will never bite on that.

 

[Smooth]

Kyle (Cleveland): Will the Cavs have a new player at 3:01 P.M.??

SportsNation Chad Ford: (12:02 PM ET ) The biggest rumor out there right now has the Cavs discussing a trade for Shaq with the Phoenix Suns. Sources have confirmed the talks. The Cavs sound interested in a deal that would send Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic back to Phoenix. The Suns would obviously prefer that Wally Szczerbiak be in the deal. Either way it gets the Suns under the luxury tax threshold next season.

http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=25146

First question in the chat, too... :chuckles:

 

[Lee]

Z would have been an All-Star if he would have stayed healthy this year and not roll his ankle..

Shaq's coming off the bench: Z has been here and produced here...

Not sure, Z doesnt typically finish games, but either way I am fine with whoever starts as long as egos dont get in the way.

Here is the thing, Sasha is hurt and out for most of the remainder of the regular season, so trading him, especially the way kinsey has played, is not huge. It comes down to shaq vs Ben. I have to say, if the cavs think they can make it work, I would rather have shaq then Ben wallace. Both are old, both are breaking down, but only one is playing at an all star level still....and that is shaq. With Z's outside shot, it might not be as impossible to play both z and ben together as thought, and jj has proven to be 10-15 minutes worthy. Also, AV looked good yesturday as a non scoring pf, as both shaq and z can score.

This move sounds weird on the surface, but if you really think about (like the big trade last year) it makes sense. Ben is breaking down, plays 24 mins a game, but is having a back issues and cant score. Shaq, even with the days off has played in about the same number of games, averaging 30 mins a game (6 more mins per) more rebounds, simular blocked shots and the scoring difference is huge. I am not 100% sure we couldnt try to start both of them. WIth MB's system, the help defense is huge, Z could guard the pf like garnett, and his 7'3 frame helps prevent easy outside looks. If they blow by, the have shaq and lebron waiting on the help side.....if nothing else, this is intreaging.

 

[pl4tinum]

its not about the suns, its about us. wally doesnt help us much if he expires here. shaq helps us win a championship in a big way.