NBA - Sports Rumors

Thu Oct 29, 2009 8:44 am EDT

Cavs plan to play Shaq and Ilgauskas together

By Mark J. Miller

“ShaquilleIt's not too often that you see a team put two seven-footers on the floor together but that's apparently what the Cleveland Cavaliers are planning to do, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Cavs coach Mike Brown didn't do it much in the preseason but he's reportedly experimenting with the idea of having his two seven-footers, Shaquille O'Neal(notes) and Zydrunas Ilguaskas, playing simultaneously. His initial plan is to put them out there together for four minutes and see what happens.

Doesn't sound like a pleasant point in the game to park yourself under the Cavs basket, does it?

Source: Cleveland Plain DealerNew Window

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170 Comments

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  1. Czheck
    1. Posted by Czheck Thu Oct 29, 2009 8:59 am EDT

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    the cavs are horrible. having more slow is only going to hurt them. big slow and big slow shaqtus i love it. 2009 champions
  2. JT
    2. Posted by JT Thu Oct 29, 2009 9:10 am EDT

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    Cavs will be ok....but no were near elite status. Sorry but LBJ is a damn fool if he stays in the mistake by the lake.
  3. kennethc36
    3. Posted by kennethc36 Thu Oct 29, 2009 9:23 am EDT

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    It still won't make a difference since the Cavs are not all that. They got the best record last year because they were just lucky they won every game that they should have won against inferior teams in the East. That definitely won't happen again this year. All the hype that are surrounding them are just crap. Face it, the Cavs won't win a Championship or even reach the Finals this year or the next year when LBJ moves to NY.
  4. Matt
    4. Posted by Matt Thu Oct 29, 2009 9:34 am EDT

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    Z and Shaq together is actually more athletic than when Z and Ben Wallace played together last year.....and the latter pair STARTED.
    I've been saying all summer the Cavs will play both 7 footers at times. Makes too much sense. Z isn't an inside guy really. He'll park himself about 18 feet from the basket and take outlets from James and Shaq. He's deadly with that shot and could get 12 points a game in that role fromt he bench.
    And the Cavs are still an elite team. Are they the best team? No, Lakers and Celtics are better, but that's it really (yes, they lost to the Raptors, but doesn't mean that the Cavs are garbage).
    And where would LBJ go? NY? Yeah, cause that place isn't a mess.
    The Cavs do need to add one more player. I was really hoping the Steven Jackson trade talk was actually gonna come true. Put Jackson on the Cavs and they become the best team in the East overnight.
  5. Ernie
    5. Posted by Ernie Thu Oct 29, 2009 9:58 am EDT

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    I think lebron is staying with the cavs because he has to be the star...he has to be the one to take them to their first championship! his ego won't let him leave and the team will just keep throwing money at him to make him stay. Even if their team doesn't win a championship they still get camera time, which means big endorsements! Send Lebron to NJ, they haven't won anything in a while, maybe he can save them. Go Celts!!
  6. Andrew
    6. Posted by Andrew Thu Oct 29, 2009 10:17 am EDT

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    cavs will start playing much better, although i dont think playing shaq and z together is going to help. they need to get west back so they can bring parker off the bench. or try to aquire another good sg and bring both west and parker off the bench. once powe is recovered, that will help as well. none of those players are huge impact players, but once they can do those little things, it will make a big difference for them i think.
  7. Paul B
    7. Posted by Paul B Thu Oct 29, 2009 10:30 am EDT

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    Shaq + Z = Slow and Slower. How long will this last? Four on Two fast breaks as both of these guys struggle to get past 1/2 court. Shaq looks old, tired and out of place. "Z" can't defend and has no inside game. Trade "Z" and go with shorter line up. However, no other big guys for CAVS off the bench hurts but "Z" does not play inside most of the time anyway. Count down to losing Lebron starts now!
  8. josephw
    8. Posted by josephw Thu Oct 29, 2009 10:37 am EDT

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    The Cavs are desperate to try and find a way to dominate. Won't happen!
  9. Matt
    9. Posted by Matt Thu Oct 29, 2009 10:41 am EDT

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    #12,
    How many fast breaks were tehre last year when Wallace and Z were together for 15 minutes a game? O that's right, hardly any.
    The rest of the team is quick enough (and other team's bigs aren't speed demons), so they can easily afford to have Z and Shaq on the floor.
    We're talking 4-8 minutes here too, not 15.
    I do agree, the Cavs need a better 2guard. West needs to come back, but even then we could use another swing like Jackson. Allows Lebron to play the 4 some with Jackson at the 3 and West/Parker the 2.
    If the Warriors agree to buyout Z.....I'd watch out if I'm the rest of the East. That would be huge for the Cavs.
  10. dlimi111
    10. Posted by dlimi111 Thu Oct 29, 2009 10:56 am EDT

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    i said it before and i will say it again,cavs are slower w/shaq than they were w/z.....having both on the floor,it 's even worst. ......do you think the relationsship w/shaq and kobe was dad.......wait and see how bad it going to be w/ shaq and lebron.......more game they loose,,it's a sign for words war....next down fall.....next....you know what lebron next move will be next summer.......
  11. Joe
    11. Posted by Joe Thu Oct 29, 2009 10:58 am EDT

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    I'm sorry for the Cleveland fans! What a mistake getting Shaq! Just like having Shaq made Phoenix miss the playoffs last year! Shaq will be the albatross that sinks Cleveland to the bottom! But thank you Cleveland for taking Shaq out of Phoenix so we can have an exciting team again...thank you!!!
  12. JS
    12. Posted by JS Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:22 am EDT

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    Ason T...ease up on the 'post comment' key, moron.
  13. JS
    13. Posted by JS Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:26 am EDT

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    Starting two 7 footers? Why is this worth mentioning? Lakers start Bynum and Gasol. So what!
  14. Wah C
    14. Posted by Wah C Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:27 am EDT

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    This is mission impossible.
  15. Solid
    15. Posted by Solid Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:29 am EDT

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    2 games into the season and already you morons are calling the season a failure. It takes time to incorporate new players into an offense. The Cavs have never had a true center with an inside game since the days of Daugherty. They need to develop chemistry and a feel for each other. Not having Delonte in there right now is hurting them both offensively and defensively but hopefully he will be back soon. The Cavs will be fine. By February, when Powe is activated and they're clicking on all cylinders, none of you will be spewing the ignorant crap that you are now.
  16. joonlee
    16. Posted by joonlee Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:30 am EDT

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    The Cavs is not a bad team it just has bad coaching. The coach thinks he know what he is doing but I really doubt it. If lebron was not there then i think he would of got fired already.
  17. Cotton Piquer
    17. Posted by Cotton Piquer Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:37 am EDT

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    JT
    FYI" 'The Mistake by The Lake" was the name given to the old Indians baseball stadium. It was replaced over 20 years ago. Then torn down. It would be hard for Lebronze to stay in "The Mistake By The Lake" since it does not exist. I hope this info helps you out.
  18. Mark H
    18. Posted by Mark H Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:41 am EDT

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    This will work...mark my words
  19. Solid
    19. Posted by Solid Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:50 am EDT

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    Also a note to JT: Hopefully you aren't a resident of your so called "mistake by the lake" but if you are, do us all a favor and don't let the door hit you in the az when you move out.
  20. Anthony V
    20. Posted by Anthony V Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:56 am EDT

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    i cant believe how stupid people are, getting shaq was a great move because he fits there offense, the cavs arent like the suns they dont try and run all of time and outscore people. the cavs run a half court offense. LET'S GO CAVS
    KING JAMES+WITNESS PROTECTION=1ST RING FOR THE KING
  21. sam spade
    21. Posted by sam spade Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:57 am EDT

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    This a mistake. Neither can run. Neither can defend on the perimeter. Neither can defend the pick and roll. He should try to develop a two team strategy like Orlando is doing with Gortat and Jason Williams. Oops!!! the Cavs are that deep.
  22. gibs0n9
    22. Posted by gibs0n9 Thu Oct 29, 2009 11:57 am EDT

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    The eternal lesson;
    Big business rarely allows the small market to shine.
    All the sheep and parrots will just follow.
  23. Michael C
    23. Posted by Michael C Thu Oct 29, 2009 12:04 pm EDT

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    Worst idea ever. Mike Brown should be fired for this. I have watched it 2 nights in a row and the cavs now play defense 3 on 5 because those 2 idiots are too slow to cover anyone.
  24. albert c
    24. Posted by albert c Thu Oct 29, 2009 12:13 pm EDT

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    i was watching the game against the celtics and was soley focusing on shaq...im sorry to say this but he is out of sync no movement taking up space not making shots ..horrible...sorry but lebron wont win that much this year ...he will have big numbers but that wont due him any good ...sort of what kobe went through the first year shaq left...scoring champ but no playoffs...the east is weak and they should get in the 3-5 slot but they wont advance ...lebron will leave next year guaranteed!! ...GO LAKERS!!!

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