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Ball Don't Lie

Fri Jun 26, 2009 5:40 pm EDT

Shaq to wear collegiate No. 33 in Cleveland

By J.E. Skeets


New Cleveland Cavaliers center Shaquille O'Neal(notes) will wear No. 33 on the back of his quadruple XL wine and gold jersey next season, the team confirmed Friday via their website.

The 15-time All-Star chose the new digits because it corresponds with the number he wore in high school and at LSU before turning pro. The Big Witness — yes, that's what we're calling him — wore No. 32 when he played in Orlando, Miami and Phoenix (he wore No. 34 in Los Angeles from 1997-2004), but that number, 32, is already taken by veteran power forward Joe Smith(notes). Apparently, Shaq and the Cavs couldn't wait for free agent Joe to jet somewhere else this offseason. Got to sell those replicas now, man!

As you'd imagine, all of your Shaq-Cavs merchandise is available right here. This shirt is especially crappy.

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210 Comments

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  1. Anton
    1. Posted by Anton Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:04 pm EDT

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    I hope this is his LAST year. Shaq The Big Kid O'Neal is just annoying now.
  2. Anton
    2. Posted by Anton Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:04 pm EDT

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    He is like spam for the NBA. No matter what team you are or where you as a fan look, he seems to pop up.
  3. jeb a
    3. Posted by jeb a Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:13 pm EDT

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    its like magic and kareem in L.A. Lebron and Shaq in Cleveland...
  4. Eliseo M
    4. Posted by Eliseo M Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:17 pm EDT

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    shaq has worked out wit every other team why not the cavs
  5. jeb a
    5. Posted by jeb a Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:17 pm EDT

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    All he has to do is straight to the gym and start losing some weight to gain some quickness for him to catch Lebron assist, if Lebron miss then Shaq goes for the ball.
  6. Eli L.
    6. Posted by Eli L. Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:41 pm EDT

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    What is up with Shaq? First he goes to Miami which I understand, then to the Suns who Laker fans consider to be their biggest rival, and now Cleveland (Lebron vs. Kobe) thing. This guy is a douche.
  7. Eli L.
    7. Posted by Eli L. Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:42 pm EDT

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    Cleveland Cavs. Talk about a steal. The trade will no doubt bolster the Cavs roster. Home court advantage will be key in the playoffs and I do foresee the Cavs having the best record in the Eastern Conference which means they'll only have to face either the Magic or the Celtics in the playoffs.
  8. Eli L.
    8. Posted by Eli L. Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:43 pm EDT

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    Orlando Magic. The acquisition of Vince Carter will help the Magic but at what cost? The loss of Turkoglu is huge. The Magic will be another fun team to watch for the next couple years.
    Boston Celtics. "One and Done". It's unbelievable how Rajon Rondo could be put on the trading block. I think it tells you a lot about the Celtics organization. Oh yeah and Boston sucks!!!
    San Antonio Spurs. They just got older picking-up R.J. but I did like their picks Blair and McClinton. Lakers vs. Spurs should be a little more entertaining now.
  9. Eli L.
    9. Posted by Eli L. Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:43 pm EDT

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    Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers will re-sign Ariza and Odom because Kupchak (Lakers GM) is freeing up cap space as we speak. This was evident when the Lakers gave up their first round pick and mid second round pick for cash. Even with the acquisitions of Carter and O'Neal, they will not be able to defeat the Lakers in 4 games should they be in the Finals. The Lakers are too talented and structured to win several championships with Kobe as the nucleus.
  10. Bogesz j
    10. Posted by Bogesz j Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:48 pm EDT

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    Big Journeyman or rather the Big Odysseus. Name another frenchise center traded that much. Joe Kleine...? XD
  11. jezreel b
    11. Posted by jezreel b Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:55 pm EDT

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    SHaq should retire after this
  12. Renonightmare
    12. Posted by Renonightmare Fri Jun 26, 2009 7:02 pm EDT

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    Maybe he can become player-coach after Brown gets canned for keeping him on the bench like Joe Smith. Then he can go for Bill Russell's 11 titles while playing with the King.
  13. Towelie
    13. Posted by Towelie Fri Jun 26, 2009 7:17 pm EDT

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    you know he wants more rings than Kobe and would probably like nothing better than to get another ring playing against him. Shaq will be motivated for a least one more season. Tha Cavs were not going to contend as things are...it's worth a try for one year.
  14. Phoenix H
    14. Posted by Phoenix H Fri Jun 26, 2009 7:24 pm EDT

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    Shaqalier
    The Big Witness
    We are all witnesses........
  15. sam spade
    15. Posted by sam spade Fri Jun 26, 2009 7:36 pm EDT

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    Shaq is more playful than that; what about the Big Buckeye?
  16. Anton
    16. Posted by Anton Fri Jun 26, 2009 7:41 pm EDT

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    The Big Chokalier.
  17. Steven T
    17. Posted by Steven T Fri Jun 26, 2009 8:09 pm EDT

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    Come May 2010 he will be the Big Fisherman
  18. Stanley M
    18. Posted by Stanley M Fri Jun 26, 2009 8:26 pm EDT

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    Someone posted an article about this being a bad deal for Cleveleland (which I happen to agree with) but I can't find it. Where is it as I'd like to add a comment?
    The fact is that Shaq (I'm a Laker's fan) was really a freak of nature the same way as Wilt Chamberlain was in his time. He was so tall and enormous that he could overpower anyone but he has never been and never will be a "basketball player". He knows what to do in the paint but outyside of that he's lost.
    I can remember 100's of alley oop passes from Kobe to Shaq but I can't remember one alley oop from Shaq to anyone.
    When Shaq first joined the Lakers they also signed Kobe but they achieved nothing for those first couple of years until Kobe "grew up" and learned how to play NBA basketball. THEN THEY STARTED ACHIEVING!!!!!
  19. SunToTheDeep
    19. Posted by SunToTheDeep Fri Jun 26, 2009 8:43 pm EDT

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    this pics gonna start an official cavs bandwagon...as if there isn't one already
  20. Anton
    20. Posted by Anton Fri Jun 26, 2009 8:49 pm EDT

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    Stanley M - you are a Lakers fan but you are also a pure hater and clueless about basketball. There are roles to be played. Brent Barry, for example, his specialty is three-point shooting. He can do other stuff but he has been typecast into that role. Robert Horry, a guy people like to hate because he went to several teams but he was an excellent shooter in the clutch. What I am saying is that REGARDLESS of how efficient Shaq is in the post and how little he is elsewhere, he is obviously gifted and uses that ability to the best of his ability. He chose not to get more versatile because he did not need to. He was and is a basketball player.
    You think Kobe can player center or PF? No, Kobe has his role too as a leading all-around good player because he WORKED to get that good.
    And your rant seems to just be a diatribe against Shaq rather than appreciating how good he really is. And passing? Shaq was a part of that offense of the Lakers and kept the ball moving as any other center could.
    And you sound like an idiot What happened AFTER Shaq left? NOTHING. The Lakers had to rebuild because Kobe could not do himself. BASKETBALL IS TEAM BALL. Kobe cannot win without another star player. NO ONE CAN.
    You are not a Laker fan. You are just a Kobe fan.
  21. Airlock
    21. Posted by Airlock Fri Jun 26, 2009 10:23 pm EDT

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    the big depressed economy
  22. Shannon
    22. Posted by Shannon Fri Jun 26, 2009 10:36 pm EDT

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    I just don't see how this trade helps Lebron. Shaq is past his prime and not getting any younger. Read more about it!
    http://shannonsportsaddiction.blogspot.com/
  23. Steven S
    23. Posted by Steven S Fri Jun 26, 2009 10:54 pm EDT

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    Shaq says he's not done after this year and I believe him. Can you imagine playing alongside the world's greatest player? Shaq is going to do what it takes to be in shape and ready for the season. The adrenaline will be pumping, it's a new lease on life. He'll get our support in northeast Ohio, some of the best fans in the country. He'll see that you can be yourself and not put on a front to try to impress someone. Genuine people live in this part of the country. Being a small market, there's still 2.5 million people that live within the Cleveland area, so there's still plenty to do. Just because Barkley doesn't like Cleveland doesn't make it bad. I think it's because there's no gambling allowed. I can't speak for everyone, but I'm glad to have Shaq on our team. As for the Big Fisherman, he can do that during the season and go ice fishing. Plenty of Perch, Walleye, and Bass(all types) to go around.
  24. rey j.
    24. Posted by rey j. Fri Jun 26, 2009 10:57 pm EDT

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    Now that Shaq is with the Cavs, am sure that this move will be converted to NBA Championship!The triangle offense by James, Ilgauskas and O'Neal will be a very potent weapon.
  25. Astig
    25. Posted by Astig Fri Jun 26, 2009 11:45 pm EDT

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    DISHAQSTER ........ it will be cavs worst pick-up ......................
    SHAQUAIL vs DWIGHTMARE = SHAQUAIL EGG FLOPS .... :-}

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