The 2009 NBA is in it’s offseason, yet already we must hear the so-called experts proclaiming their teams to beat for the upcoming season. The team of choice this upcoming season seems to be the Cleveland Cavaliers, who traded for Shaquille O’Neal in the offseason to help take some of the burden off of Lebron “Don’t Dunk on Me!” James’ shoulders. Listen, I’m not saying Shaq might not help Cleveland get over the hump, I’m saying he flat out won’t. Yes, that’s right Cleveland, you heard it here first. Before you get all carried away with yourselves and start printing out NBA Championship t-shirts, Cleveland fan, understand this……your starting center will be 38 years old by the time the playoffs roll around next April. It’s funny to hear Cavs apologists and towel wavers proclaim Cleveland as the team to beat, yet conveniently dismiss Boston because they are too “old”. Really? Last time I checked KG, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and newly signed free agent Rasheed Wallace were still all younger than Shaq. So, yes folks, I’m going on record right now and saying that Boston, if healthy, is the team to beat in the Eastern Conference this season and not Cleveland. I know Orlando is in the mix as well, but excuse me if I’m still not sold on Dwight Howard being this other worldly dominant force. The bottom line is the Celtics took Orlando to 7 games without KG and with a depleted bench last may and things will be different this season if KG is on the court. As for Cleveland, it’s wait til’ next year……just like it has been for for the last 45 years.
