The King of Pop’s sudden and mysterious death sent shockwaves across the world shadowing any and all news topping in the media. Even the Iranian turmoil which was clogging the airwaves as disgruntled protesters in Iran defied their almighty Ayatollah over what many believed to be a rogue elections, took back seat to the breaking news of Michael Jackson’s death. In NBA news also, right before all hell broke lose in LA, a few states over in Ohio other illustrious news was breaking.

Famous NBA star Shaquille O’Neal of the Phoenix Suns got traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Every basketball fan knows about the Orlando Magic turned LA Lakers’ championship go getter and his Kobe Bryant rivalry which ultimately lead to O’Neal’s trade from the LA Lakers to the Miami Heat where he went and won yet another NBA championship with Dwayne Wade. That left Kobe Bryant desperate to prove that he too can lead his team to win NBA finals. Kobe would later accomplish that task in 2009 with the help of long time team mate and crunch time three (3) point shooter Derek Fisher. Not forgetting the enormous contributions of Trevor Ariza and underrated former Memphis Grizzles Center Pau Gasol.

The Miami Heat had reshuffled their basketball team and Shaq saw himself packing up to join the line up of his long time rivals, the Arizona Phoenix Suns after sitting out his first NBA finals when Miami got swept out of the playoffs. Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns who came very close to wining NBA finals on several occasions can never forget how it was either Shaquille O’Neal’s Lakers team or Tim Duncan’s San Antonio Spurs that snatched his finals win within grasp. Happy to team up with his arch nemesis, the Arizona Phoenix Suns traded Shawn Marion to the Toronto Raptors but failed to make the playoffs there after. This marked two years in a row when Shaq watched the playoffs from his living room instead of being on the court.

               

LeBron James had stumped his way through the 2008-2009 NBA season and swept the first two teams that were thrust in his way during the playoffs before running out of steam to Dwight Howard. The disappointed Lebrun also known in Ohio as King James could not be consoled as his team mates were incapable of stepping up when it called for it. General Managers (GM) of both Cleveland and Phoenix had been romancing the idea of a possible trade but not wanting to take any chances Cleveland made other bids for a productive Center. They were in talks with New Orleans for Tyson Chandler.

LeBron James averages 35 point per game but would appreciate an older Shaquille O’neal on his team because Shaq averages 17.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and a potential 1 or 2 blocks per game in the latter stage of his career. Shaq’s only trouble on the court is his free throw average and the possible hack a shaq technique that opponents deploy to get the low post dominator on the bench. Cleveland needs someone to stop Dwight Howard who shoots 59.9 percent from the floor and grabs 14.2 rebounds a game for a $ 13, 758, 000 pay check. Shaq reportedly drew in a $ 21 million salary from Maimi but no reports have been made as to how much Cleveland is paying the four (4) time NBA champion. The Suns received Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic, $ 500, 000 and the No. 46 pick in the draft for the O’Neal trade. It looks like LeBron James has what he needs to face Phil Jackson's LA Lakers with Kobe Byrant in 2010.