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By Associated Press
POSTED: 02:56 p.m. EDT, Jul 02, 2009
INDEPENDENCE: Shaquille O'Neal has one purpose in Cleveland: bring an NBA title to LeBron James and the Cavaliers.
''My motto is very simple,'' the 15-time All-Star center said today. ''Win a ring for the King.''
Acquired in a trade last week with the Phoenix Suns, O'Neal was introduced Thursday by the Cavaliers, who believe he can be their missing piece. The city of Cleveland has been waiting since 1964 for one of its three pro sports franchises to win a championship.
During a 30-minute news conference that was more of a TV talk show featuring Shaq, the 37-year-old star said he just wants to fit in with a Cavaliers team that won 66 regular-season games last season but was eliminated in the Eastern Conference finals by the Orlando Magic.
''We have everybody in place,'' said O'Neal, who has just one year left under contract but feels he can play three more seasons. ''There's no excuses. We've just have to get it done.''
O'Neal walked to the dais through a welcoming tunnel of kids from an area summer camp. He was presented with a No. 33 jersey and given a pair of winter boots and a snow shovel by Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, who is sparing no expense to bring the Cavs a championship. Cleveland is the first cold-weather city O'Neal has played in after NBA stops in Orlando, Los Angeles, Miami and Phoenix.
There is a greater sense of urgency in Cleveland because James is entering his final year under contract. O'Neal insists this is ''LeBron's team'' and he's merely with the Cavs to put them over the top.
''I'll fit in just fine,'' he said. ''They had a damn good team here already.''
O'Neal won three NBA titles with Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers from 2000-02 and another with Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat in 2006. O'Neal believes No. 5 is possible with ''the great LeBron James.''
O'Neal joked that his three sons were excited he would be paired with the league's reigning MVP.
''My sons love LeBron more than they love me,'' he said. ''I'm just a little jealous about it.''
INDEPENDENCE: Shaquille O'Neal has one purpose in Cleveland: bring an NBA title to LeBron James and the Cavaliers.
''My motto is very simple,'' the 15-time All-Star center said today. ''Win a ring for the King.''
Acquired in a trade last week with the Phoenix Suns, O'Neal was introduced Thursday by the Cavaliers, who believe he can be their missing piece. The city of Cleveland has been waiting since 1964 for one of its three pro sports franchises to win a championship.
During a 30-minute news conference that was more of a TV talk show featuring Shaq, the 37-year-old star said he just wants to fit in with a Cavaliers team that won 66 regular-season games last season but was eliminated in the Eastern Conference finals by the Orlando Magic.
''We have everybody in place,'' said O'Neal, who has just one year left under contract but feels he can play three more seasons. ''There's no excuses. We've just have to get it done.''
O'Neal walked to the dais through a welcoming tunnel of kids from an area summer camp. He was presented with a No. 33 jersey and given a pair of winter boots and a snow shovel by Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, who is sparing no expense to bring the Cavs a championship. Cleveland is the first cold-weather city O'Neal has played in after NBA stops in Orlando, Los Angeles, Miami and Phoenix.
There is a greater sense of urgency in Cleveland because James is entering his final year under contract. O'Neal insists this is ''LeBron's team'' and he's merely with the Cavs to put them over the top.
''I'll fit in just fine,'' he said. ''They had a damn good team here already.''
O'Neal won three NBA titles with Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers from 2000-02 and another with Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat in 2006. O'Neal believes No. 5 is possible with ''the great LeBron James.''
O'Neal joked that his three sons were excited he would be paired with the league's reigning MVP.
''My sons love LeBron more than they love me,'' he said. ''I'm just a little jealous about it.''
Comments
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Canton, OH
Posted 04:08 PM, 07/02/2009
Sweet. . .Our 1st Championship since ' 64. . .
Akron, OH
Posted 04:28 PM, 07/02/2009
OMG...Shaq is in Cleveland. Watch out now!!! WE are going to win it for sure. Our team was already great so there is no way we can be stopped now
Posted 04:32 PM, 07/02/2009
It is just great to see a hall of famer like Shaq excited to be in Cleveland. It seems those are the kind of players who never are happy about being here (which is why Lebron is so refreshing). I also love that Shaq brings an intensity about winning and I think it will be very helpful for the whole team to have a player who Lebron truly respects. He will be able to challenge Lebron if he needs to be challenged. Now if the Cavs can just get Artest or Ariza we are seriously in business. I'm all for letting Varejo go to make that happen with a sign and trade deal. .
Columbus, OH
Posted 05:11 PM, 07/02/2009
Who is this Shaq?
AK, Oh
Posted 05:12 PM, 07/02/2009
This will be a silly & funny team... but no ring for the Cavs... Lebron will have to wait until he leaves Cleveland. New York or Brooklyn Baby!
Hiram, GA
Posted 05:41 PM, 07/02/2009
Let's get Artest or CV and round this thing out!
independence, MO
Posted 05:53 PM, 07/02/2009
If we get Artest or Trevor Ariza . . . it's a done deal. BTW, think LeBron was good last year . . . wait until THIS year. He has been the most improved player in the league every year since he got here.
Tepplin, DC
Posted 05:53 PM, 07/02/2009
Love, STFU. NYC can keep on dreaming. LeBron is staying in Cleveland. Deal with it.
KOOKville, oh
Posted 06:13 PM, 07/02/2009
Love...find it hard to believe you could put down the crack pipe long enough to type that garbage. I believe they will win it with Shaq in town.
Hudson, OH
Posted 06:33 PM, 07/02/2009
THE BIG PEROGI!
Anti-Politically Correct & Anti-GOP, OH
Posted 07:13 PM, 07/02/2009
So, what is going to happen with Zildroonus Illgasskus?
Anti-Politically Correct & Anti-GOP, OH
Posted 07:15 PM, 07/02/2009
Well, think of this....the media gets Shaq, LeBron, and Kobe in the finals next year. I'm sure they are already punching their tickets for this one.
Akron, OH
Posted 08:07 PM, 07/02/2009
So much for Artest.
ESPN is reporting he is signing with the Lakers. I guess that means we get Aziza? That works for me. We in NEO can be kind of rough. I wouldn't want Artest runnin' up into our stands (again) and sluggin' one of his "homies" from NEO. Let him duke it out with Jack Nicholson!
GO CAVS!!!
:0)
Posted 08:10 PM, 07/02/2009
One or two more of the right trades and this too should be a fun year.
A season to be very hopeful for. Thank you Cavs !!
Posted 09:44 PM, 07/02/2009
LeBron wouldn't win a title with the Knicks either....
I think such talk about him leaving is rather presumptuous over him wearing a Yankees hat while at a certain Indians playoff game in 2007. Once again, he will be surrounded by not enough talent. A one man team (now 2 for sure), isn't going to cut it in a sport that is a 5 man team effort.....just my views....
AK, Oh
Posted 10:15 PM, 07/02/2009
Hahaha... Enjoy this year... We shall see where the Cavs end up (1st round KO).
Lebron & Jay Z 2010 & 2011 "Brooklyn"
AK, Oh
Posted 10:21 PM, 07/02/2009
Laker to strong now.. 1.Fisher 2.Kobe 3.Artest 4.Gasol 5. Bynum
Posted 11:12 PM, 07/02/2009
Love, I hate to point this out to you, but the Cavs went to the EC finals last year. Sweeping the 1st two series I might add. That was with Z at center. Now they have a 15 time all-star who put up 18 and 8 last season at center. You seriously believe they're going to lose in the 1st round? As for going to NY, in case you haven't noticed, the Knicks suck. I'm sure LeBron wants to leave a team that will challenge for a title to go to that train wreck in NY. Yeah, THAT would be a good career move for a guy who wants to win a championship.
Lorain, oh
Posted 12:07 AM, 07/03/2009
thank you Jack...seriously Lebron would have to deal with all the building in New York like the Cavs have done the last 5 years?!? DUH.
The Cavs are making the right moves, but one more guy would really seal this thing.
AK, Oh
Posted 01:28 AM, 07/03/2009
It could work if it was a young Shaq & the Cavs speed up the offense. Lebron plays better in a faster offense. Don't get it wrong Shaq is good but this aint gonna work. 1 round KO maybe 2 if they get a PF.
As far as New York, do you understand they suck for a reason and thats the 2010-2011 Dream Team. Lebron will most likely go to Brooklyn with Yi and a new cast.
AK, Oh
Posted 01:31 AM, 07/03/2009
Lebron his share of rings but not in Cleveland..... "He is the King" Go Lebron James
