Read the opposing arguments from Loyal Homer and Bleacher Fan.
This is difficult to narrow down.
Whole and partial blame for the Cavaliers playoff loss to the Celtics lies with so many, that it is challenging to pare the field of candidates down. Mo Williams has been a huge bust for the Cavs, having neither the smarts to run an offense, the consistent scoring ability to take focus off of LeBron, nor the defensive skills to matchup against good players in the playoffs.
Delonte West, a steady bench performer for the Cavs for a few seasons now, and one of the few players on offense that is able to score in one-on-one situations, completely disappeared on both ends of the court against the Celtics.
Mo and Delonte are close runners up for me in choosing who to write this argument about. But, one player did more to disrupt a reasonably talented team than any other – Shaquille O’Neal.
The reason I’m writing about Shaq is two-fold. The first fold is a virtual mandate from my colleagues since I already went on the record on November 2, 2009 decrying the move to bring Shaquille O’Neal to Cleveland. The second fold is more complex, but it has something to do with and rapidly aging old timer hampering a up-tempo basketball team.
A quick perusal of Shaq’s playoff stats and you may conclude that he actually performed fairly well, and that the Cavs’ playoff meltdown was not because of the presence of Shaquille O’Neal. After all, in 11 games Shaq only averaged 22.1 minutes per game and shot over 50 percent from the field. He even made 66 percent of his free throws. Not vintage Shaq, but not that terrible, either, right?
Let’s examine O’Neal’s physical limitations. His inability to show and recover on screens on defense is exactly what opened up so many driving and passing lanes for Rajon Rondo. Shaq was a liability on defense because he simply was not quick enough. On offense and defense his presence (read: girth) was still intimidating, but he was no longer able to get the type of position on either end of the floor that he needs to be effective. On defense he was not versatile enough to recover, and on offense he was routinely unable to catch the ball close enough to the hoop to be effective, especially as the Cavs were committed to get him started on offense early in each game. Shaq’s inability to get back down court after a quick offensive play or a turnover hurt, too. Kendrick Perkins was consistently out-hustling Shaq down the court and it led not only to easier baskets for the Celtics but many second chance opportunities as well. He also consistently out-battled him for position down low… something that was obvious. In a May 2 interview, Kendrick Perkins revealed the strategy to stopping Shaq, specifically talking about forcing him to catch the ball far away from the basket. Shaq was unable to physically do what was necessary to make the adjustment and regain position. When physical limitations prevent a player from being effective it is the responsibility of the player to speak up.
It is true that Shaq was no longer the player he once was physically, and another bit of evidence is found in the fact that the Celtics never really had to double team him on the offensive end of the floor. In fact, the Cavs were able to take a 2-1 lead in this series largely because the Celtics, at least in name, still believed it was necessary to double-team. Once the realization set in that it wasn’t mandatory to double Shaq any longer, the entire Cavs team, LeBron included, was unable to find open shots – or even enough space to get the rhythm necessary to line up a shot. Shaq’s presence in the middle also made driving the ball more difficult for players like LeBron James and Mo Williams. Williams, especially, was driving to the basket with Shaq in the game, but Shaq was unable to cleanly catch those passes and immediately go up to the rim. Shaq is, offensively, a shell of his former self. It seems like the only folks in the matchup with the Celtics who were unable to recognize that fact are Shaq and the Cavs.
When I first wrote about the “Shaquisition” I was decrying the signing as a reach and a failure. I put forth that if the Cavs were unable to work Shaq into the offense consistently that he would not be an effective player and could very well be the reason the team loses a shot at a title, and a shot to keep its superstar. I am not an oracle, nor am I big on predictions – generally a TSD no-no. But, it was clear Shaq was a not a fit then. It is not right to blame management, as a safe assumption was made that O’Neal possessed the skills and tools to make the necessary adjustments during a season and playoff series. The coaching staff, though deserving of blame in many areas, does not shoulder all of the blame because Shaq must take it upon himself to adjust and be a professional player working toward the single goal of a championship. Shaq was still more important than the team, and that is clear from his action… and, more specifically, his inaction.
Some perspective – the Phoenix Suns find themselves in the Western Conference finals just one season after jettisoning Shaq, a player who chalked his Phoenix experience up as an “L” and found a way to grab a place on the team with the league’s best player. The Cavs, with Shaq, have clearly regressed into an offensive team unable to get out of its own way, and a defensive team not nearly quick enough to keep up with even the aging Celtics.
Blame for a collapse this significant cannot, of course, be laid at the feet of one player. But, the burden for this debate is to prove which person had the most impact. Shaq, of course, had help, in that Mike Brown chose to rely heavily on him and play him a great deal, but Shaq’s ego was far out-pacing his ability. He knew he was in over his head, unable to be the dominant player he once was. Rather than acquiesce to reality and take a step back, he continued to have a negative impact on the team. The result is obvious, and O’Neal is the biggest reason this Cavaliers team failed.
I agree!The Cavs didn’t need a center to score a lot of points,they needed a center to defend.Shaq needed to block shots!Rondo had a free pass to the basket,cause there was no one there to block his shot!Would have never happened with Wilt or Kareem in there!
I agree! I also agree that Shaq it no Wilt or Kareem. Though, he is probably closer to Wilt, given the size advantage and free throw shooting percentage. The Cavs needed Bill Russell and got Oliver Miller!