RealCavsFans

Douglar · 10-22-2009, 12:05 AM

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index....cavaliers.html

Quote:

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Somebody may need to get Shaquille O'Neal some flashcards.

With the start of the regular season less than a week away, the Cavaliers new center is admitting he's still having some trouble learning the offense. It is a different system from what's he been used to during much of his career and he's struggling a bit remembering and executing some of the plays.

"It is vital that I start to memorize the plays" O'Neal said. "I've been used to a certain system for 17 years so I have to work on that. I still have a few days before we start."

In an effort to improve spacing and clear lanes for LeBron James and Anderson Varejao, the Cavs are having O'Neal come away from the hoop quite a bit to set screens. He's also setting up more in the midpost and even the high post at the elbow.

"We're trying to put him in different spots on the floor to get him moved around so people can't home in on him," Cavs coach Mike Brown said. "That's what we're going to continue to try to do."

So far the team is keeping it relatively simple and plans to add sets to the offense as the season goes along. Some of that is to help O'Neal as he gets used to the new roles and terminology.

"We're getting to know each other," O'Neal said. "I'm comfortable with it but I need to get on the same page as everybody else."

West update: For the first time this week, in preseason games in Pittsburgh and Columbus, Delonte West warmed up with the team before the game and then sat on the bench. However he did not play in either game, which means he did not log a minute in the preseason. Between excused and unexcused absences, West also missed about a week of practice and the team's intrasquad scrimmage.

Despite that, Brown is not ruling out that West could play when the regular season opens against the Celtics next week. Though there is still no public timetable on his return from handling personal issues.

"If you remember when we made the trade for him he started the next day," Brown said. "I'm pretty laid back when it comes to that type of stuff so I'm not concerned."

Honorary Buckeye: Before Wednesday's game at Value City Arena, Ohio State coach Thad Matta and his team presented James with a Buckeyes jersey with his name on it and declared him an "honorary Buckeye" as a thanks for his support of the program in recent years. James' most direct influence has been through Nike as Ohio State wears James' branded uniforms and shoes.

A little hazing: Before the game, rookie Danny Green was busy making a baton on the orders of O'Neal. He constructed it with two tennis balls and a piece of plastic wrapped in athletic tape. Asked why he was doing it, Green didn't even look up and answered: "Shaq told me to, I don't know why and I'm not going to ask."

Family affair: Wednesday Anthony Parker played against his brother-in-law, Celtics forward Sheldon Williams. He is married to Parker's sister, WNBA star Candace Parker. Anthony Parker has a new niece, whom Candace gave birth to earlier this year.

twenty23 · 10-22-2009, 12:07 AM

Hes looking good but our starters dont exactly good with him for some reason.

flamez · 10-22-2009, 12:24 AM

All i Know is that Andy is a horrible fit next to shaq. Andy's production will likely go up but his presence will hurt Lebron's game and will cause problems for Shaq.
I've been observing it throughout the preseason, we are better off playing Andy besides Z.

Have to try and get a big man who can shoot and knock down the 17 footer consistently. Z is just too damn slow to start next to shaq.

LJ4MVP · 10-22-2009, 12:33 AM

this was pretty funny

Quote:

A little hazing: Before the game, rookie Danny Green was busy making a baton on the orders of O'Neal. He constructed it with two tennis balls and a piece of plastic wrapped in athletic tape. Asked why he was doing it, Green didn't even look up and answered: "Shaq told me to, I don't know why and I'm not going to ask."

LeBrain · 10-22-2009, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flamez

All i Know is that Andy is a horrible fit next to shaq. Andy's production will likely go up but his presence will hurt Lebron's game and will cause problems for Shaq.
I've been observing it throughout the preseason, we are better off playing Andy besides Z.

Have to try and get a big man who can shoot and knock down the 17 footer consistently. Z is just too damn slow to start next to shaq.

You may be right, but I think Andy's ability to dart around the low post and cut to the hoop to receive a great Shaq pass could be fantastic for our offense. We shall see...

Benedict_Boozer · 10-22-2009, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flamez

All i Know is that Andy is a horrible fit next to shaq. Andy's production will likely go up but his presence will hurt Lebron's game and will cause problems for Shaq.
I've been observing it throughout the preseason, we are better off playing Andy besides Z.

Have to try and get a big man who can shoot and knock down the 17 footer consistently. Z is just too damn slow to start next to shaq.

I actually have thought Andy has looked decent out there for pretty much the entire pre-season. He looks improved offensively to me. He's shown some post moves, is finishing his layups more consistently, etc. Also teams can't cheat on him too much because he is in constant motion.

I agree with you though that you can tell he doesn't have confidence in his jump shot. A guy who can hit that 17 footer would definitely make this team alot harder to defend.

The major problem I think so far (I realize it's preseason) is our perimeter defense - it's been looking very suspect. Delonte really locked down alot of the quicker/more athletic guards, we are missing him big time I think.

**The George** · 10-22-2009, 03:26 AM

its going to be interesting to watch Mike Brown mold all of these very talented separate pieces into one cohesieve unit

just need some time to get the wheels moving in the same direction but once they do we should be fine...

Powerslave · 10-22-2009, 03:28 AM

Mike Brown's offense might be too complex for him to grasp.

**Pioneer10** · 10-22-2009, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benedict_Boozer

I actually have thought Andy has looked decent out there for pretty much the entire pre-season. He looks improved offensively to me. He's shown some post moves, is finishing his layups more consistently, etc. Also teams can't cheat on him too much because he is in constant motion.

I agree with you though that you can tell he doesn't have confidence in his jump shot. A guy who can hit that 17 footer would definitely make this team alot harder to defend.

The major problem I think so far (I realize it's preseason) is our perimeter defense - it's been looking very suspect. Delonte really locked down alot of the quicker/more athletic guards, we are missing him big time I think.

Missed the game but after reading Windhorst's recap: agree completely. I'd also point out that during the beginning of last year when our team was really playing exception Ben Wallace was terrific on help defense. He's gone and even if he was here I doubt you could depend on any sort of help from him by the end of the year. So that leaves West. He's fully capable of playing exceptional defense.

I'd still bring him off the bench. Mo has never been a great defender and throw in a tweaked groin and his perimeter defense may really fall off. West as the backup 1 and 2 guard really is making a lot of sense now as he can play the 1 when Mo is having trouble with defense (see Parker/Rondo this preseason) with either Moon and Parker in there to take care of the shooting guards. Last year we got stuck in no man's land as Delonte and Lebron were are only two good perimeter defenders and that left a hole on whoever was the odd man out.

blue_kahuna · 10-22-2009, 03:29 AM

It can't be hard to master Mike Browns offensive system. I mean, LeIso is not a hard play to learn.

futuristxen · 10-22-2009, 04:08 AM

Actually Mike Brown is known to have an overly complicated offense, which is why in years passed it's degenerated to "just give the ball to Lebron". It's disconcerting that he might be up to his old tricks again.

Snarly · 10-22-2009, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flamez

All i Know is that Andy is a horrible fit next to shaq. Andy's production will likely go up but his presence will hurt Lebron's game and will cause problems for Shaq.
I've been observing it throughout the preseason, we are better off playing Andy besides Z.

Have to try and get a big man who can shoot and knock down the 17 footer consistently. Z is just too damn slow to start next to shaq.

No they work well together. If you saw Av made A couple of great plays with Shaq In the middle. I mean come on. AV 10-7B, SO, 18-5B. They were the only reason we had a game. Mo did below average. LBJ hates the pre-season. This was not a win game first for the cavs but a learn and try to win. The Celtics acted like It was a play-off game. As much as I like Doc Rivers. He has a bunch of ego asshole players on his team. funny how we all saw LBJ and they guys were taking it light. Grant that game as a blessing. Shaq will fit In just fine.

P.S Great job by Av tonight. He finally looks like a possible 10/10 man. Av might turn out to be the biggest signing of the season. When Powe comes back wow, I'm done.

futuristxen · 10-22-2009, 05:28 AM

AV is a good fit with Shaq because he cuts off the ball so well and has good hands. Between Lebron and Shaq, Andy is going to be eating well this season. I just wish he would dunk it more when he's there.

bucksprime99 · 10-22-2009, 07:09 AM

Last night he didn't look like the only one with this problem...

Snarly · 10-22-2009, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by futuristxen

AV is a good fit with Shaq because he cuts off the ball so well and has good hands. Between Lebron and Shaq, Andy is going to be eating well this season. I just wish he would dunk it more when he's there.

I can not stress this enouph but It It looks like they tried it and It seemed to work (Shaq and AV). but to many pick and rolls. Again I see a play It's called clockwork formation. On offense... Set Shaq In the middle Lbj at the top.Have mo parker Split In said Direction. If the team can move with time. Then feed off to the small hands. Have one or two reverse time and spread to the opposite baseline. It Is a zone offense and at any time a player can cut to the hoop. That Is the sped up time play. Or you can slow It down and keep Shaq Or Z in the middle and have all players On the set position. Meaning If done right a rotation of players can be re set To form Or Improvise seeing a confused D will be confused. Also we have many options to score. It Is almost the same thing Orlando did against us. Yet we have AV as the middle piece of the clock. Just my Idea,.

10-22-2009, 12:07 AM	#2
twenty23 Status: Banned Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 245 Thanks: 18 Thanked 116 Times in 33 Posts	Re: Shaq still learning playbook Hes looking good but our starters dont exactly good with him for some reason.

10-22-2009, 12:24 AM	#3
flamez Status: Team Player Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1,411 Thanks: 102 Thanked 298 Times in 163 Posts	Re: Shaq still learning playbook All i Know is that Andy is a horrible fit next to shaq. Andy's production will likely go up but his presence will hurt Lebron's game and will cause problems for Shaq. I've been observing it throughout the preseason, we are better off playing Andy besides Z. Have to try and get a big man who can shoot and knock down the 17 footer consistently. Z is just too damn slow to start next to shaq.

10-22-2009, 03:26 AM	#7
The George Status: almost back... Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Columbus Posts: 5,053 Fav Cav: LeBron and Brother Red Past Fav: Campy, Austin, Mark and World B Free Thanks: 3,008 Thanked 540 Times in 289 Posts	Re: Shaq still learning playbook its going to be interesting to watch Mike Brown mold all of these very talented separate pieces into one cohesieve unit just need some time to get the wheels moving in the same direction but once they do we should be fine...

10-22-2009, 03:28 AM	#8
Powerslave Status: Shaq-a-Claus Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 826 Thanks: 1,382 Thanked 980 Times in 324 Posts	Re: Shaq still learning playbook Mike Brown's offense might be too complex for him to grasp. __________________ The Victorious B.I.G.

10-22-2009, 03:29 AM	#10
blue_kahuna Status: Thread Hijacker Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Hawaii Posts: 1,028 Fav Cav: LBJ, Mo Past Fav: Mark Price, Larry Nance Thanks: 805 Thanked 487 Times in 219 Posts	Re: Shaq still learning playbook It can't be hard to master Mike Browns offensive system. I mean, LeIso is not a hard play to learn.

10-22-2009, 04:08 AM	#11
futuristxen Status: Situational Stopper Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 468 Thanks: 0 Thanked 147 Times in 85 Posts	Re: Shaq still learning playbook Actually Mike Brown is known to have an overly complicated offense, which is why in years passed it's degenerated to "just give the ball to Lebron". It's disconcerting that he might be up to his old tricks again.

10-22-2009, 05:28 AM	#13
futuristxen Status: Situational Stopper Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 468 Thanks: 0 Thanked 147 Times in 85 Posts	Re: Shaq still learning playbook AV is a good fit with Shaq because he cuts off the ball so well and has good hands. Between Lebron and Shaq, Andy is going to be eating well this season. I just wish he would dunk it more when he's there.

10-22-2009, 07:09 AM	#14
bucksprime99 Status: Rising Star Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,558 Thanks: 1,618 Thanked 696 Times in 332 Posts	Re: Shaq still learning playbook Last night he didn't look like the only one with this problem...