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Do IT this week: Layering
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 08:26 p.m. EDT, Oct 08, 2009
INDEPENDENCE: The words came easily, without hesitation and seemingly with the thought required before going for the bold splash.
In Shaquille O'Neal's estimation — one based on four championship rings and other honors — he's found basketball nirvana. And in of all places, Cleveland.
''Like I said before, one through 15, it's probably the best team that I've been on,'' O'Neal said. ''I've always been on management to get me the shooters I needed and the power forward I needed, but here [we have that].''
With the moves the Cavs made in the offseason, they certainly strengthened their bench and possibly addressed a major weakness revealed during the Eastern Conference finals by signing Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon, specifically for their ability to play perimeter defense.
O'Neal's words could end up being hyperbolic, but coach Mike Brown is willing to take the future hall of famer at his word.
''When the big fella talks, you have to listen.'' Brown said. ''He's been at it a long time. His resume speaks for itself. He's been on a lot of teams, so if he says that, it's something that has to be heard.''
Parker's role
Ultimately, Parker might find himself being utilized in a different role in some instances. With the absence of Delonte West, Parker could play the part of backup point guard, a part with which he's not unfamiliar.
It's something that he has no problem doing, but suspects that it might not be necessary.
''Obviously you're going to have guys like LeBron [James] and Mo [Williams] who are going to have the ball in their hands the majority of the time,'' Parker said. ''But if called upon, if there's a situation when I have to have the ball in my hand, I've been in the situation before.''
That attitude is one of the reasons the Cavs signed Parker as a free agent. It's an acquisition that still pleases Brown.
''Before we got him, I felt he was really good and I still feel he's really good,'' Brown said. ''He's just smart, long, a solid athlete. Stuff that he does we haven't had here since I've been here.''
Officer O'Neal?
Word got out of a possible meeting O'Neal might or might not have had with the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department, giving the 7-foot-1 center a chance to have more fun.
When asked about it, O'Neal playfully told reporters three times that he didn't know what they were talking about, seemingly ending the conversation — or maybe not.
Asked if he couldn't talk about it because he was working incognito, O'Neal replied, ''Undercover officers are not allowed to talk about what's going on.''
Buzzer beater
Apparently O'Neal has too much time on his hands. He's taken up yoga to increase flexibility and keep himself loose, he said. He endured his first session Wednesday night and offered a blunt assessment: ''I'm the worst yoga student in the history of yoga.''
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohio.com/thomas. Follow Cavs coverage on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cavsabj
INDEPENDENCE: The words came easily, without hesitation and seemingly with the thought required before going for the bold splash.
In Shaquille O'Neal's estimation — one based on four championship rings and other honors — he's found basketball nirvana. And in of all places, Cleveland.
''Like I said before, one through 15, it's probably the best team that I've been on,'' O'Neal said. ''I've always been on management to get me the shooters I needed and the power forward I needed, but here [we have that].''
With the moves the Cavs made in the offseason, they certainly strengthened their bench and possibly addressed a major weakness revealed during the Eastern Conference finals by signing Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon, specifically for their ability to play perimeter defense.
O'Neal's words could end up being hyperbolic, but coach Mike Brown is willing to take the future hall of famer at his word.
''When the big fella talks, you have to listen.'' Brown said. ''He's been at it a long time. His resume speaks for itself. He's been on a lot of teams, so if he says that, it's something that has to be heard.''
Parker's role
Ultimately, Parker might find himself being utilized in a different role in some instances. With the absence of Delonte West, Parker could play the part of backup point guard, a part with which he's not unfamiliar.
It's something that he has no problem doing, but suspects that it might not be necessary.
''Obviously you're going to have guys like LeBron [James] and Mo [Williams] who are going to have the ball in their hands the majority of the time,'' Parker said. ''But if called upon, if there's a situation when I have to have the ball in my hand, I've been in the situation before.''
That attitude is one of the reasons the Cavs signed Parker as a free agent. It's an acquisition that still pleases Brown.
''Before we got him, I felt he was really good and I still feel he's really good,'' Brown said. ''He's just smart, long, a solid athlete. Stuff that he does we haven't had here since I've been here.''
Officer O'Neal?
Word got out of a possible meeting O'Neal might or might not have had with the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department, giving the 7-foot-1 center a chance to have more fun.
When asked about it, O'Neal playfully told reporters three times that he didn't know what they were talking about, seemingly ending the conversation — or maybe not.
Asked if he couldn't talk about it because he was working incognito, O'Neal replied, ''Undercover officers are not allowed to talk about what's going on.''
Buzzer beater
Apparently O'Neal has too much time on his hands. He's taken up yoga to increase flexibility and keep himself loose, he said. He endured his first session Wednesday night and offered a blunt assessment: ''I'm the worst yoga student in the history of yoga.''
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohio.com/thomas. Follow Cavs coverage on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cavsabj
Comments
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Barberton, Oh
Posted 08:51 PM, 10/08/2009
I have never been a basketball fan but the Cavs have been great and LeBron is awesome of course but now Shaq......WOW I will have to start watching! This is just awesome!
Kandi, SL
Posted 09:03 PM, 10/08/2009
Now can the team please find someone to play perimeter OFFENSE?
akron, oh
Posted 09:07 PM, 10/08/2009
@furygrrrl: I've got news for you then; if you watch enough Cav's basketball, you will become an addict. I've been to hundreds of games, and can't stop. And there is no rehab.
Posted 08:06 AM, 10/09/2009
Remember this is CLEVELAND. Something allways goes wrong :-(
Posted 09:39 AM, 10/09/2009
Shaq diesel's in da house !
How cool is that !
Akron, Oh
Posted 09:47 AM, 10/09/2009
@ stleo...agree to certain degree...used to be addicted to the Browns (the original team) but I'm now cured...this current Browns team causes me to get sick every time I think I will try and watch them...
and yes RubberMan, after 50 years of watching Cleveland Sports...i'm always waiting for the proverbial "other foot" to drop....
uniontown, oh
Posted 09:47 AM, 10/09/2009
This will be the shinning light in Cleveland sports. After a year of depression "lets get it on", go Cavs.
Cleveland, Oh
Posted 02:03 PM, 10/09/2009
I cant wait until the season starts! Whether we take home first place or not, I betcha it's gonna be really fun year's worth of b-ball to watch!
GO CAVS!
Canal Fulton, Oh
Posted 02:03 PM, 10/09/2009
Im so glad we got Shaq! Ive always liked him.so with him an LeBron ,should be a good season to watch.im hoping to be able to go up there to see him in person,that would be awesome!
Akron, OH
Posted 02:29 PM, 10/09/2009
Basketball Nirvana, yes. But also, football and baseball Purgatory!
Go Cavs!
:0)
akron, oh
Posted 02:45 PM, 10/09/2009
At the end of the day all of those arrogant good for nothings have money nirvana, win or lose. And cleveland real life sure isn't any nirvana it's more like I don't want ana.
Highland Square, OH
Posted 02:17 AM, 10/10/2009
Wow empowerment1, you sure have a way with words...
Akron, Oh
Posted 11:07 AM, 10/10/2009
Let's see if he is still calling it Nirvana one year from now.
It's common practice for pro sports teams in ANY sport to threaten their players with trading them to Cleveland if they don't STFU and start playing.
