After making it to the 2007 NBA Finals, The Cavs expected a great year in 2008. And that is exactly what they got. A 66-16 record, including a 39-2 record at home, the best in the league. And playoff success as well, sweeping the Pistons and defeating Atlanta as well. Then they faced a match-up problem nightmare team in Orlando. Even LeBron James' magical buzzer beater in game 2 could not lift the Cavs past the Magic. They had no answers to Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu or Dwight Howard. And that is where the addition of Shaq comes in.
One of the "50 Greatest Players of All Time", Shaquille O'neal brings everything you could ask for in a center to any team, in this case, the Cleveland Cavaliers. With a new hunger, better shape and even a better free-throw percentage, Shaq brings a new presence to the paint and in the locker room. A career 58% field goal percentage and 11.2 RPG and 2.3 BPG, he has the offensive and defensive tools to make the Cavs even better than how they were.
With practically the same team as last year, the Cavs have more experience, a better team moral and more weapons to fight all the way to the top. Let's not forget that " The King James" does not have a ring yet and Shaq would sure like to give him one and give himself the 5th one as well. As James prepares himself and his team for the upcoming season, we as fans can expect the best from the East this year. Cleveland is expected to be one of the great forces in the NBA this year.
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