Shaquille O'Neal wants to Return to All-Star form

Shaquille O'Neal wants to Return to All-Star form

Five years ago, Shaquille O'Neal signed the biggest contract in the NBA with the Miami Heat. After one great season with the Heat, Shaq signed a five year deal. At the time, O'Neal said that this was his final contract. He said that at the end of the contract that he will retire with the Heat. The next season, the promise of an NBA title was delivered. But, following the title, things went downhill.

Injuries limited Shaquille O'Neal the next season and the Heat limped to a 44-38 record. The next season was even worse and Shaq found himself on a plane headed to Phoenix. With the Suns, Shaq led them from first place in the West to out of playoff contention. Despite his negative impact on the team, his play dramatically increased. Because of this, the league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers showed interest.

Right after the NBA Finals, the Suns traded Shaq to the Cavs and they performed well during the season. But, most of the work has been on the shoulders of LeBron James. Despite the recent strong play from Shaq, he still finds himself injury prone. At this point in his career, a lot of people feel that he should go ahead and retire. However, it is obvious that there is still something left in the tank of Shaq. The question is, does he have enough gas. There is a chance that he could start the season strong, but end the season on a low note, running out of energy. Because of that, many people feel that Shaq should just go ahead and retire.

There is almost a certain chance that Shaquille O'Neal will not be re-signed by the Cleveland Cavaliers this summer. Unlike in seasons passed, O'Neal will not be met with the entire league throwing themselves at him, but he could possibly find himself with another team. While a lot of people are doubting the abilities of Shaq, he feels that he could actually return to the level of play that he showed in Los Angeles. Following this season, Shaquille O'Neal is going to place himself on the toughest workout of his career. Never before has he trained the way that he plans to at the end of this season. There are some who feel that Shaq should retire and he is considering it. But, on the other hand, there are others, mainly Shaq himself, who feel that he should continue to play and deliver something to another team.

Five years ago, Shaquille O'Neal signed the biggest contract in the NBA with the Miami Heat. After one great season with the Heat, Shaq signed a five year deal. At the time, O'Neal said that this was his final contract. He said that at the end of the contract that he will retire with the Heat. The next season, the promise of an NBA title was delivered. But, following the title, things went downhill.

Injuries limited Shaquille O'Neal the next season and the Heat limped to a 44-38 record. The next season was even worse and Shaq found himself on a plane headed to Phoenix. With the Suns, Shaq led them from first place in the West to out of playoff contention. Despite his negative impact on the team, his play dramatically increased. Because of this, the league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers showed interest.

Right after the NBA Finals, the Suns traded Shaq to the Cavs and they performed well during the season. But, most of the work has been on the shoulders of LeBron James. Despite the recent strong play from Shaq, he still finds himself injury prone. At this point in his career, a lot of people feel that he should go ahead and retire. However, it is obvious that there is still something left in the tank of Shaq. The question is, does he have enough gas. There is a chance that he could start the season strong, but end the season on a low note, running out of energy. Because of that, many people feel that Shaq should just go ahead and retire.

There is almost a certain chance that Shaquille O'Neal will not be re-signed by the Cleveland Cavaliers this summer. Unlike in seasons passed, O'Neal will not be met with the entire league throwing themselves at him, but he could possibly find himself with another team. While a lot of people are doubting the abilities of Shaq, he feels that he could actually return to the level of play that he showed in Los Angeles. Following this season, Shaquille O'Neal is going to place himself on the toughest workout of his career. Never before has he trained the way that he plans to at the end of this season. There are some who feel that Shaq should retire and he is considering it. But, on the other hand, there are others, mainly Shaq himself, who feel that he should continue to play and deliver something to another team.

Shaquille O'Neal wants to Return to All-Star form

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Shaquille O'Neal could return to Miami?

Shaquille O'Neal could return to Miami?

Before his ugly departure from Miami to Phoenix, the Miami Heat and Shaquille O'Neal were a match made in heaven. He proved that he could get along with a young star. Most importantly, that young star was able to give him his first NBA title without Kobe Bryant. Going into the 2006-2007 season, everything was looking good for the post-Lakers Shaq.

However, the good times came to an end, when Dwyane Wade was injured. He was unable to return to fighting shape and that would cost the Heat in the long-run. It is often said that Shaq does not play unless his team can win without him. In Miami, he never had a problem with his strong play. The play of Wade carried the team, but when he went down, Shaq could not carry the team.

The injury to Dwyane Wade ended up proving to be worse than expected and Shaq was forced to become the focal point of the team, early in the next season. It was then that he proved that age had caught up with him. Under the leadership of Shaq and Shaq alone, the Miami Heat went down. Halfway through the season, the Heat were the worst team in the NBA and O'Neal was being shipped out to Phoenix. The next season, a healthy Wade, but no one outside of Haslem, from the championship squad remained. They made the playoffs, but Shaq did not. It was the first time since 1993 that the NBA Playoffs did not feature O'Neal. Having traded for Shaq to win an NBA title, the Phoenix Suns unloaded him during the offseason.

Currently, Shaquille O'Neal plays with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is in the final year of his contract that he had signed with Miami in 2005. While he has enjoyed playing with the Cavs, they are going to be looking for youth this offseason. The Miami Heat have lacked a strong big man since the departure of Shaq and they have placed their bets on landing Amare Stoudemire and/or Chris Bosh. No other team in the league has as much salary cap space as Miami when the season ends. Even with all of the perks of coming to Miami, those players may choose to sign with a team already contending, or they may choose to stay put. But, for Shaq, his options are limited and he could work with the Heat, again. They traded him out of desperation, but with Wade playing the best basketball of his career and with Michael Beasley in the mix, Miami could contend with Shaq.

Back in 2008, Shaquille O'Neal stated that he would either return to the Los Angeles Lakers, or retire. But, his stint in Cleveland has made it clear that he has a lot left in the tank and that he could never return to play with Kobe Bryant. After all, since he left, he has played with all of his rivals. But, he and Dwyane Wade never had a rivalry and Shaq has proven that he is willing to take a pay cut if it means that he will win. Since he left, the Heat organization has hired better trainers, so if he comes down with an injury, it will not be as serious and he will not miss as many games that he used to.

Before his ugly departure from Miami to Phoenix, the Miami Heat and Shaquille O'Neal were a match made in heaven. He proved that he could get along with a young star. Most importantly, that young star was able to give him his first NBA title without Kobe Bryant. Going into the 2006-2007 season, everything was looking good for the post-Lakers Shaq.

However, the good times came to an end, when Dwyane Wade was injured. He was unable to return to fighting shape and that would cost the Heat in the long-run. It is often said that Shaq does not play unless his team can win without him. In Miami, he never had a problem with his strong play. The play of Wade carried the team, but when he went down, Shaq could not carry the team.

The injury to Dwyane Wade ended up proving to be worse than expected and Shaq was forced to become the focal point of the team, early in the next season. It was then that he proved that age had caught up with him. Under the leadership of Shaq and Shaq alone, the Miami Heat went down. Halfway through the season, the Heat were the worst team in the NBA and O'Neal was being shipped out to Phoenix. The next season, a healthy Wade, but no one outside of Haslem, from the championship squad remained. They made the playoffs, but Shaq did not. It was the first time since 1993 that the NBA Playoffs did not feature O'Neal. Having traded for Shaq to win an NBA title, the Phoenix Suns unloaded him during the offseason.

Currently, Shaquille O'Neal plays with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is in the final year of his contract that he had signed with Miami in 2005. While he has enjoyed playing with the Cavs, they are going to be looking for youth this offseason. The Miami Heat have lacked a strong big man since the departure of Shaq and they have placed their bets on landing Amare Stoudemire and/or Chris Bosh. No other team in the league has as much salary cap space as Miami when the season ends. Even with all of the perks of coming to Miami, those players may choose to sign with a team already contending, or they may choose to stay put. But, for Shaq, his options are limited and he could work with the Heat, again. They traded him out of desperation, but with Wade playing the best basketball of his career and with Michael Beasley in the mix, Miami could contend with Shaq.

Back in 2008, Shaquille O'Neal stated that he would either return to the Los Angeles Lakers, or retire. But, his stint in Cleveland has made it clear that he has a lot left in the tank and that he could never return to play with Kobe Bryant. After all, since he left, he has played with all of his rivals. But, he and Dwyane Wade never had a rivalry and Shaq has proven that he is willing to take a pay cut if it means that he will win. Since he left, the Heat organization has hired better trainers, so if he comes down with an injury, it will not be as serious and he will not miss as many games that he used to.

Shaquille O'Neal could return to Miami?

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Looking at Shaq's injury in the Long Run

Looking at Shaq's injury in the Long Run

Last season, the Cleveland Cavaliers stormed through the regular season. The efforts of LeBron James earned him his first MVP award. Not only was he the MVP, but his team posted the NBA's best record. When the playoffs began, the Cavs swept through the first two rounds before experiencing some trouble with the Orlando Magic. This trouble would prove to be too much for James and the Cavaliers. As a result, the Magic would go on to beat the Cavaliers.

While the Cavaliers were exposed on many levels by the Magic, the one thing that stuck out the most was their lack of a true center to defend Dwight Howard. In the 2009 playoffs, it was Howard, alone, that dominated the Cavs' front court. In the final game of the series, Howard posted 40 points and 14 rebounds. During the offseason, the Cavaliers were determined to find a center to hold Dwight Howard.

After an unsuccessful experiment with Shaquille O'Neal, the Phoenix Suns were willing to deal. In the end, they traded Shaq for a bunch of spare parts from the Cleveland Cavaliers. With Shaq in the mix, Cleveland has had little problems when it comes to beating Orlando, or the Los Angeles Lakers for that matter. Things with Shaq have been going great, but recently he went down with a thumb injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season. Experts say that O'Neal may not return to action until sometime in the second round of the playoffs. Worst case scenario, the Cavaliers lose their grip on the first seed in the Eastern Conference.

If that is the case, Orlando will probably end up posting the top record in the East. With an injured and already old Shaquille O'Neal, Dwight Howard will run all over him. Just O'Neal's defense on Howard has held him down during the season series. But, Dwight Howard will be turned up to another level come playoff time and with his thumb injured, Shaq will not be forcing too much on Howard. That will give him the chance to dominate O'Neal just as if he was Anderson Varejao. Even if Cleveland does hold on to the first seed, they will most likely face Boston or Orlando. With Shaq partially injured, their big men are going to run all over the Cavs.

This late-season injury to Shaquille O'Neal may cost LeBron James the 2010 NBA Championship.

Last season, the Cleveland Cavaliers stormed through the regular season. The efforts of LeBron James earned him his first MVP award. Not only was he the MVP, but his team posted the NBA's best record. When the playoffs began, the Cavs swept through the first two rounds before experiencing some trouble with the Orlando Magic. This trouble would prove to be too much for James and the Cavaliers. As a result, the Magic would go on to beat the Cavaliers.

While the Cavaliers were exposed on many levels by the Magic, the one thing that stuck out the most was their lack of a true center to defend Dwight Howard. In the 2009 playoffs, it was Howard, alone, that dominated the Cavs' front court. In the final game of the series, Howard posted 40 points and 14 rebounds. During the offseason, the Cavaliers were determined to find a center to hold Dwight Howard.

After an unsuccessful experiment with Shaquille O'Neal, the Phoenix Suns were willing to deal. In the end, they traded Shaq for a bunch of spare parts from the Cleveland Cavaliers. With Shaq in the mix, Cleveland has had little problems when it comes to beating Orlando, or the Los Angeles Lakers for that matter. Things with Shaq have been going great, but recently he went down with a thumb injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season. Experts say that O'Neal may not return to action until sometime in the second round of the playoffs. Worst case scenario, the Cavaliers lose their grip on the first seed in the Eastern Conference.

If that is the case, Orlando will probably end up posting the top record in the East. With an injured and already old Shaquille O'Neal, Dwight Howard will run all over him. Just O'Neal's defense on Howard has held him down during the season series. But, Dwight Howard will be turned up to another level come playoff time and with his thumb injured, Shaq will not be forcing too much on Howard. That will give him the chance to dominate O'Neal just as if he was Anderson Varejao. Even if Cleveland does hold on to the first seed, they will most likely face Boston or Orlando. With Shaq partially injured, their big men are going to run all over the Cavs.

This late-season injury to Shaquille O'Neal may cost LeBron James the 2010 NBA Championship.

Looking at Shaq's injury in the Long Run

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Cleveland Cavaliers willing to Shake Things Up

Cleveland Cavaliers willing to Shake Things Up

The Cleveland Cavaliers are the hottest team in the NBA coming into the All-Star break. Not only are they on a 13-game winning streak, but they hold the best record in the league. As it currently stands, there is not a single team in the NBA that can compete with them, but sources close to GM, Danny Ferry, say that he is looking to add more talent to the team.

It goes without saying, but the Cavaliers' roster already has LeBron James and Maurice Williams. They have formed an imposable duo and Shaquille O'Neal is playing third fiddle. Their lineup, along with other players, such as J.J. Hickson, create matchup nightmares for other teams. The roster that the Cavs have, already could easily defeat any team in the East.

Even as favorites to win the NBA championship, the Cleveland Cavaliers are willing to roll the dice. The team is said to be talking, heavily, with the Phoenix Suns about dealing J.J. Hickson in exchange for Amare Stoudemire. If that deal does not work out, the Cavs are willing to deal Jamario Moon to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Antawn Jamison. While those deals will definitely bolster the talent on the Cavs' roster, their chemistry could be ruined. Also, Jamison and Stoudemire have become stars in their own right. While LeBron is the man in Cleveland, they are the stars in their respective cities.

It is a wonder that Shaquille O'Neal has not clashed with LeBron James, the other teammates have allowed him to believe that he is number two in command. But, if Jamison or Stoudemire is brought in, or both, this would most certainly create friction and ruin the chemistry and the fun that the team has on the floor. With the roster that they have, Cleveland can win the title, if they do any of the mentioned moves, they are still tough, but this kills them in the long run.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are the hottest team in the NBA coming into the All-Star break. Not only are they on a 13-game winning streak, but they hold the best record in the league. As it currently stands, there is not a single team in the NBA that can compete with them, but sources close to GM, Danny Ferry, say that he is looking to add more talent to the team.

It goes without saying, but the Cavaliers' roster already has LeBron James and Maurice Williams. They have formed an imposable duo and Shaquille O'Neal is playing third fiddle. Their lineup, along with other players, such as J.J. Hickson, create matchup nightmares for other teams. The roster that the Cavs have, already could easily defeat any team in the East.

Even as favorites to win the NBA championship, the Cleveland Cavaliers are willing to roll the dice. The team is said to be talking, heavily, with the Phoenix Suns about dealing J.J. Hickson in exchange for Amare Stoudemire. If that deal does not work out, the Cavs are willing to deal Jamario Moon to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Antawn Jamison. While those deals will definitely bolster the talent on the Cavs' roster, their chemistry could be ruined. Also, Jamison and Stoudemire have become stars in their own right. While LeBron is the man in Cleveland, they are the stars in their respective cities.

It is a wonder that Shaquille O'Neal has not clashed with LeBron James, the other teammates have allowed him to believe that he is number two in command. But, if Jamison or Stoudemire is brought in, or both, this would most certainly create friction and ruin the chemistry and the fun that the team has on the floor. With the roster that they have, Cleveland can win the title, if they do any of the mentioned moves, they are still tough, but this kills them in the long run.

Cleveland Cavaliers willing to Shake Things Up

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