Shaquille O'Neal was a gamble that was well-intentioned, but in the end unrewarding, says Terry Pluto.
Shaquille O'Neal had some good moments for the Cavaliers, but his thumb injury proved critical in the team's inability to develop a reliable offensive attack in the playoffs, says Terry Pluto.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- We're still four weeks away from the official start of summer, but it's always hot around the Cleveland sports world for Terry Pluto, who is talkin' ...
About the Cavaliers ...
1. When the Cavs traded for Shaquille O'Neal, they knew it was a gamble. Not in terms of what they gave up -- Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic. They had no intention of keeping Pavlovic, and they knew Wallace was battling injuries. But they also knew while bringing in O'Neal that he could get out of shape, he could get hurt and his skills could diminish as he'd end the season as the NBA's oldest player at 38.
2. O'Neal's conditioning was respectable. His skills slipped, but he was still acceptable as a low post threat and a massive body to defend the area near the basket -- at least, when he was healthy. The playoff problems stemmed from O'Neal's broken thumb, which required surgery and cost him the final 23 games of the regular season. In the previous four seasons, O'Neal missed 23, 42, 21 and seven games. He sat out 29 with the Cavs, which would not have been a problem if he could have played the last month of the regular season so that he was peaking for the playoffs.
3. When O'Neal returned, he seemed slow to react, unsure where he fit in the offense. That's because the Cavs traded for Antawn Jamison at midseason. O'Neal and Jamison played only four regular-season games together before O'Neal's injury. By the playoffs, they had no flow and Jamison wasn't sure where he was supposed to be on the court.
4. The Cavs say O'Neal's attitude was generally positive. He was frustrated by his own play, and how he sat out the fourth quarters of some playoff games. But the coaches have no complaints about his conduct. The trouble was O'Neal and Jamison were a poor defensive combination, especially when opponents used pick-and-roll plays. Compounding the situation, Anderson Varejao was suffering back spasms (some severe) in the playoffs. He wasn't running or jumping with his usual passion. That meant he couldn't make his usual impact on the boards or drawing charges in front of the rim.
5. Other than O'Neal, there was much more that went wrong in the Boston series. Jamison shot only 42 percent and averaged 11.8 points. Mo Williams shot 41 percent. Fans know about the up-and-down series for LeBron James. O'Neal actually was the team's second-leading scorer (13.5) and No. 3 rebounder (5.0) in the series, averaging 28 minutes.
6. Why did the Cavs deal for O'Neal? It was a way to battle the height of Orlando and the Lakers. They also thought he'd help draw some fouls on Boston. It also was James' free-agent season, and the pressure was enormous to make a big move, win now and convince James to stay.
7. That was the same story back in 2005-06, when James was in a free-agent season. Owner Dan Gilbert wanted new General Manager Danny Ferry to sign the best veterans available to make the playoffs right now. That led to big contracts to Damon Jones, Larry Hughes and Marshall. While that led to salary cap consequences later, the immediate return was a 50-victory season, James' first playoff experience, and his contract extension expiring this summer.
8. After making $20 million this season, O'Neal is a free agent. It's doubtful he'll play here again. Zydrunas Ilgauskas also is a free agent. He wants to play again, but it may not be here. That is especially true if Mike Brown returns, as the relationship between the veteran center and the coach cooled after Brown didn't play him in a game early this season.
9. Jamison is under contract for two more years, and he's a key part of the team moving forward -- with or without James. That trade was made for more than this season. Jamison averaged 15.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and shot nearly 49 percent. The Cavs just need to use him more effectively. He can score in the low post. He moves well without the ball in pick-and-roll plays. But in the playoffs, he too often was reduced to nothing more than a guy shooting long jumpers.
10. One of the debates about retaining Brown is this -- who replaces him? It's not a great candidate list. Notice that 58-year-old Doug Collins was hired by the 76ers. He's a quick-fix guy who hasn't lasted more than three seasons at his previous stops -- Chicago, Detroit and Washington. Others with NBA head coaching experience who are available include Avery Johnson, Mike Woodson, Vinny Del Negro, Eddie Jordan and Byron Scott.
About Jim Brown and LeBron ...
Jim Brown's sensitivity to the media criticism and attention paid to LeBron James begs an obvious question -- what does Brown (or James) think will happen if he plays in New York, Chicago or Miami?1. Speaking to a Baltimore radio station, Jim Brown said: "It's so unfortunate that a man that's got so much would feel so bad right now because of what he couldn't do. I think he's being treated unfairly. I think the expectations were too high, and I don't think he's gonna stay in Cleveland because of it. I think as one man, there's only so much you can do, and for people to analyze you and to basically say humiliating things about you, when you've given all those things through the years to that franchise, I think it's an atrocity."
2. Brown should ask himself this, "Where did the severest criticism come from?" It was not here, it was from the national media. Yes, James took a lot of heat for a few poor playoff performances, but it's not like the fans and media in Northeast Ohio were the main source. The first shots were fired on the network pregame, halftime and postgame TV coverage of the playoffs. Look at the national Web sites, etc. The harshest shots at James were fired there.
3. No matter where he plays, James will be a lightning rod for criticism. Brown should know that. If he signs with Chicago, New York or anywhere else -- the expectations will be outrageous. In most of his possible landing spots, the roster James would inherit doesn't match the talent here. Yet, he will be expected to win big. If he does sign with Cleveland, the sense of relief from the fans will probably temper some of the great expectations. If his goal is to not play in a pressure cooker, home is the best place.
4. In a New York Times story, James' co-author Buzz Bissinger wrote that James needs to leave because "He's too loved, and therefore too coddled and too easily forgiven. ... In a place like New York, the tabloids would have screamed 'LeBomb James!' In Cleveland, there were a few boos, but they amounted to nothing compared to the desperation of the fans to keep him for next season and beyond."
5. So Brown thinks James should leave because he's not appreciated here and has been unfairly criticized. Yet, James' co-author believes being so loved at home is not good for James: "In such an atmosphere, human nature inevitably takes over: You stop constantly pushing yourself because there is no real incentive."
About the Browns ...
1. Eric Mangini and others believe receivers sometimes make a huge jump between their rookie and second seasons. It's part of the reason the Browns have not been in a rush to acquire a veteran receiver. It's very early, but Brian Robiskie has been very impressive in OTAs and the other voluntary workouts.
2. Robiskie appeared in 11 games, caught seven passes and needed at least eight games to figure out what the coaches wanted. The Chagrin Falls product set career records at Ohio State for catches (118) and touchdown receptions (34). He has talent, and this season, there is a chance for him to show it.
3. This is the 12th season since the Browns returned, and it's only the third year that a veteran quarterback is in place. The fact that Jake Delhomme is set to start immediately puts him in a leadership position, and brings a sense of order. The other seasons with veterans were Jeff Garcia (2004) and Trent Dilfer (2005). Neither worked out well. Yes, Ty Detmer was the opening starter in 1999, but it was no secret Tim Couch would soon play.
4. It's seems having Delhomme and an experienced backup in Seneca Wallace has to help the receivers. It's hard to believe that Jerome Harrison and Mohamed Massaquoi led the team with 34 receptions. You have to go back to 1974 (Hugh McKinnis, 32 catches) to find any team leader in receptions with fewer than 40.
5. Chansi Stuckey and Jake Allen also had some nice moments catching the ball this week. Not sure if the receivers looked better because of the improved quarterback play along with being in the offense for a while -- or simply that they were so bad last season.
About the Indians ...
Trevor Crowe will get an extended chance to prove that he was a worthy first-round choice of the Indians back in 2005.1. Carlos Santana will probably join the Indians within the next two weeks. The Columbus catcher entered the weekend batting .324 with nine home runs and 39 RBI. He leads the Class AAA International League in on-base percentage (.446), walks (29) and is second in OPS (1.035). It seems this move must be made sooner than later, because Lou Marson really looks like a solid backup. Scouts say Santana is a big-league-ready hitter now, and he can work with coach Sandy Alomar on his catching and English.
2. Marson entered the weekend hitting .213 (.536 OPS) with one RBI. He has improved on blocking balls in the dirt and has thrown out eight of 24 base-runners (33 percent). Anything over 30 percent is excellent. But Santana is the catcher of the future, and that future should be now.
3. The Indians have had some discussions about moving Aaron Laffey into the starting rotation. That could happen if David Huff (1-6, 5.36) is sent to the minors, which is a possibility. It would also be considered if they put Justin Masterson in the bullpen -- but for now, they want to continue with Masterson in the rotation.
4. One of the reasons the Indians didn't promote Michael Brantley is that manager Manny Acta wanted to give Trevor Crowe a few weeks as the regular center fielder. "I liked how he played in spring training," said Acta. "He brings us energy. He can run, switch hit. I think he'll be a part of the team as we move forward." Crowe also is 26, and a first-rounder from 2005.
5. The Indians were giving serious consideration to sending Luis Valbuena to the minors and promoting Jason Donald when Asdrubal Cabrera broke his arm in a collision with Jhonny Peralta. Donald was recalled to replace Cabrera. But the Indians have no other middle infielders at Columbus considered prospects, so Valbuena stays.
6. While Matt LaPorta has struggled, the Indians don't think a trip back to the minors would help. They believe he must work through his troubles at the big-league level.
7. Mitch Talbot has impressed Acta in two of his worst outings. In his first start, he was shelled for four runs in the first three innings but still pitched into sixth. In his last game, he gave up six runs in three innings, then threw three scoreless innings. "Mitch has saved our bullpen in those games," said Acta. "He kept his poise when he gave up those early runs. I like that."