Originally posted by LA9erFan:Originally posted by TheGoldStandard:Originally posted by LB49ers:
what a great trade for the cavs this totally solves the problem the they had against the magic defending Hedo and Lewis.....oh wait
they had trouble cause they were doubling D12. that's done now, even before shaq now that Phil and co. gave the league the blueprint on how to play against Dwight.
IMO, it was just the opposite. They had trouble because they didn't double D12 enough and let him catch the ball too close to the hoop. That's why he dropped 25 a night against them. The Lakers doubled him almost every time from all angles and he only got 15.
Shaq will keep D12 away from the hoop, but he hasn't guarded the pick and roll in 8 years, and that's Orlando's go to play. It'll be interesting to see that match up now.
This really changes how Cleveland goes about their business, but they did just get Shaq for virtually nothing.
I think the key was as you said, LA was blitzing Dwight from all angles, sometimes opting to man up on Dwight which is why he was so confused. Conversely, the Cavs sent the double from the same spot and always after the catch, which Dwight was able to figure out.
The Pick and roll will still be an issue, obviously, but I don't think Shaq will factor too much into that. He can stay at home when Dwight sets the pick because Howard can't shoot, he can flash the switch and then get back downlow, that's what he did in Phoenix anyway. It's the Hedo/Lewis pick and roll that kills Cleveland, IMO, and they still don't have an answer at the wings at the moment.
It should be fun, but I can't see Shaq as the difference maker, the Cavs will need either an athletic big and or wing player to really sure up some of their deficiencies.
