Yahoo Sports: Cavs land Shaq for Wallace, Pavlovic

[DrRyan]

Originally Posted by SNR

The Magic just lost two starters for Carter. The Cavs gave up two backups that underachieved all season and showed up only for a few minutes in one or two playoff games. All for Shaq, who even at his age, is more dominant than Vince Carter.

The Cavs have plenty of mid-range shooters. Having a jump-shooting center doesn't help them all that much. Shaq is going to really help the Cavs spread things out. You know how Lebron can be a striker from outside the paint AND be a force in the middle? Having a solid option in Shaq creating space is going to allow him to be even MORE elusive and deadly than he already was.

This move is going to rape next season. I really don't think the Celtics even with Garnett can stop them.

It is a little early to be putting them in the Finals. Cleveland's shooting 3 point, mid-range or otherwise was bordering on pathetic in the series against Orlando. A jump shooter that can knock down open shots is exactly what the Cavs need. I have a hard time seeing Shaq "help spread things out." Shaq takes up space, and tons of it in the lane.

Obviously the move improves the Cavs, but it does not address their biggest problems. Pick and roll defense is what lost them the series against Orlando, and believe it or not, Shaq's defense in that regard is as bad or worse than Z's. Give LeBron and lights out shooter and then they be very tough to beat.