The Diesel looks to fuel the Cavs’ season
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October 8, 2009
Evan Luse
Shaquille O’Neal has been known by many names: Shaq Daddy, The Big Aristotle, The Diesel and Superman but now he is known by another name — a Cleveland Cavalier.
“The time has come for the Cavs to go big or go home,” junior Robby Sheeks said.
With Lebron James’ contract winding down, much speculation is circulating that he will leave for a bigger market organization such as New York if the Cavs do not win the NBA championship.
“The Cavs can settle for nothing less than an NBA championship,” Sheeks said.
Loyal Cleveland sports fans have been disappointed over and over again through a professional sport championship drought that has lasted more than 45 years. Shaq is well aware of this drought as he looks to plant the seeds of a winning organization.
“I want to win a ring for the King,” O’Neal said in a statement to ESPN.
In their pre-season debut against the Charlotte Bobcats, the high profile duo looked sharp. They ran the pick and roll, connected on some alley-oops and Shaq actually made his first free throw.
“Me and Shaq played pretty well together,” James said in a statement to ESPN. “It shouldn’t be hard for either one of us. We know how to play basketball and we want to win.”
Hopefully, the recent distraction caused by Delonte West will not obstruct that goal. West, a life-long sufferer of bipolar disorder, was arrested last month on weapons charges in Maryland after police found him carrying three loaded guns while riding a three-wheel motorcycle. One of these guns was a semi-automatic shotgun gun that he was holding in a guitar case strapped to his back.
West has returned to the team but is in and out of practices and public performances as he deals with his present legal issues. During the first pre-season game against the Charlotte Bobcats, West shot around before the game for 90 minutes but remained in the locker room for the duration of the game.
Despite this distraction, the Cavs sealed their first victory as a team and hopes to continue the winning ways throughout the season. Cavs fans are banking on Shaq and James to make the season successful. Shaq feels likewise.
“He’s a great player and I have a lot of experience playing with great, younger players such as him,” O’Neal said. “It’s just my job here to fill the five spot. I’m not looking to take 20 or 30 shots a game. I’m just looking to fit in.”
Cavs fans can watch Shaq’s 7 foot 1 inch, 325 pound frame “fit” into Quicken Loans Arena for the season opener as the Cavs tangle with the Boston Celtics on Oct. 27 at 7:30 P.M.
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