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hoops23

Shaquille O'Neal says he 'loves' Cleveland and hungers to end city's title drought: Cavaliers Insider
By Brian Windhorst, The Plain Dealer
April 14, 2010, 8:29PM

ATLANTA -- It may never truly be his home, but over the last nine months Shaquille O'Neal said he's developed a special feeling for Cleveland and especially Richfield Township, where he's rented a house.

Which is why, as the Cavaliers prepare to embark on a playoff run, O'Neal said he's become highly motivated to win a championship. Not just because of his personal goal to make it to five rings before contemporaries Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan -- though that's a significant reason -- but because he's learned what it would mean to the long-suffering fan base.

"I think about it everyday," O'Neal said Wednesday before the Cavs wrapped the regular season against the Atlanta Hawks.

"When I first came here I said whatever I do I'm going to leave my mark on you. For us to win a championship for Cleveland, that would never be forgotten. I could be 90 years old and people would say 'weren't you that guy who used to live in Richfield?' Yeah, that's me. I love Cleveland. I do.

"I must say I'm very, very impressed and surprised at how Cleveland has been. Me only having been in a sunny environment, I wasn't sure how it would go. But I'm having a fabulous time. If they want me back, I'll be back [next season].

"I live in Richfield, people don't bother me, it is quiet, the fans are fabulous. I'm having a great time. I'm actually quite impressed at what the organization has done."

O'Neal's contribution to the effort will wait until the weekend. Despite being cleared to play and getting several practices in, O'Neal was in street clothes on Wednesday as coach Mike Brown decided against playing O'Neal or LeBron James against the Hawks.

The decision was made despite what ire it may draw politically with the Most Valuable Player sitting out the season's last four games or whether the Cavs have an adjustment period ahead in the playoffs.

"I listen to a lot of people, I'm open to listening to everybody," Brown said. "At the end of the day, I have to make the final decision whether it is good or bad; it rests upon my shoulders. I'm OK with that."

O'Neal, who probably could have played in the last two games had he been needed, was fine with Brown's decision. He said a strict diet and workouts with assistant coaches have gotten him in good shape for the playoff run.

"I only take orders and next week is what everybody has been waiting for," O'Neal said.

"I'm ready, physically and mentally. I think we're all ready. We know what it at stake. We don't know who we're going to play, but it doesn't even matter. It is all about us. I knew it was vital that I had to come back better and that is why I took my own initiative to change everything.

"Me and coach [Hank] Egan worked everyday, me and [therapist] George [Sibel] worked every day. I ordered meals from a friend of mine in Orlando. I've haven't had a burger in seven week. I've been swimming and stretching, I'm ready."

Love reading this.

wildcats20

Fred and AC were talking about this. I really think this is this most comfortable Shaq has EVER been with a team.

devil1197

The Diesel is returning Saturday.

I cannot wait to see him in action.

SQ_Crazies

Love it.

ytownfootball

I mean, yeah, what's he going to say? I can be objective enough to say that, but at the end of the day, you can absolutely tell he's being genuine. He's having a great time on a team where everyone seem to get along well and just have fun. That makes all the difference to guys at the stage of his career.

Sage

"Fuck Cleveland," Shaq said today, "I hate it. Worst city ever."

Shaq continued, "And fuck LeBron. I've got 4 rings. You think I want another one? Please. I don't give a shit. That's why I didn't play. I'm just here to collect my check, baby!"

"You really think I give a shit, if when I'm 90, some guy thinks I helped end Cleveland's drought? Fuck Cleveland. End your own damn drought."

SQ_Crazies

Sage wrote: "Fuck Cleveland," Shaq said today, "I hate it. Worst city ever."

Shaq continued, "And fuck LeBron. I've got 4 rings. You think I want another one? Please. I don't give a shit. That's why I didn't play. I'm just here to collect my check, baby!"

"You really think I give a shit, if when I'm 90, some guy thinks I helped end Cleveland's drought? Fuck Cleveland. End your own damn drought."

Link?

pkebker

Sage wrote: "Fuck Cleveland," Shaq said today, "I hate it. Worst city ever."

Shaq continued, "And fuck LeBron. I've got 4 rings. You think I want another one? Please. I don't give a shit. That's why I didn't play. I'm just here to collect my check, baby!"

"You really think I give a shit, if when I'm 90, some guy thinks I helped end Cleveland's drought? Fuck Cleveland. End your own damn drought."

Hey Kobe, why'd you rape that woman?

THE4RINGZ

Win a ring for The King

Al Capone

I would love Cleveland to if they payed me a ton of money to go watch basketball games.

thavoice

Of course he is gonna say that. He would be saying that in ANY city that he would be playing for becuase if he can win another ring....wow..in another city....that is totally amazing. Just be thankful he didnt pull a Spinal Tap moment and give the wrong city name!

Nate

I believe him actually. He actually looks like he is having fun with this team, unlike when he was with the Lakers.

cview

Shaq hasn't really left anywhere on great terms. It may be genuine now (what else is he going to say? "Nah man Cleveland is a shithole, fuck this place) but it absolutely wouldn't surprise me if years down the road he says something outlandish about getting Wade and Lebron their ring or something. We're talking about the same dude that proclaimed: Dwyane Wade the best he's ever played with, Pat Riley was the best coach he has ever played for, the Phoenix Suns as the best team he had ever played on (directly after being traded there), during last season he said Kobe was a 10 but Lebron was a 9.9, after the 08 Finals he asked Kobe how his ass taste because he couldn't do it without him, and he instigated beef with Dwight Howard. All of those statements could have some form of credibilty but it was when he said them and the context that made him look like a sourpuss. Shaq is one of the best of all time but he hates anything that threatens his own legacy. If he helps the Cavs win it this year and then thinks LBJ is getting too much love and people are ignoring him a few years down the road I'd bet both my nuts he'll throw him under the bus in about half a second.

hoops23

thavoice wrote: Of course he is gonna say that. He would be saying that in ANY city that he would be playing for becuase if he can win another ring....wow..in another city....that is totally amazing. Just be thankful he didnt pull a Spinal Tap moment and give the wrong city name!

Like he said in Miami? Like he said in LA?

As another poster said, Shaq hasn't left any city, with the exception of Phoenix in good terms.

You can tell by the fun he's having on the bench and off the court that he truly means what he's saying.. One thing Shaq does, is tell it how it is..

SQ_Crazies

Shaq has never been in a situation like this, therefore I have no reason to believe he's being anything but sincere. He even basically admits that he wasn't excited about coming to Cleveland--I think he's just sending a message that Cleveland isn't as bad as people want to make it sound (a popular line from the group that thinks LeBron will leave Cleveland). Which many of us would agree with I think. NE Ohio is a pretty nice place to call home.

jpake1

What do you expect him to say? He hates Cleveland? I've followed Shaq everywhere, except Cleveland. I'll tell you this, he doesn't tell it like it is. However, he doesn't ruin a team. He'll tell you what you want to hear, then when it comes time, he'll shit on ya and be on his way. He's done it at most places. Cleveland loves their sports, he likes that. I think he's enjoying his time there. But don't think he'll be loyal to Cleveland. He's a championship groupie. He'll go where the ring has the best chance of going to if he can get there. If he doesn't believe Cleveland is the place next year, he'll be on a plan to wherever they'll take him. With all that said, appriciate Shaq. He'll do what he wants, what he thinks he needs to do, and go where he thinks he needs to go, and won't cause a problem. But when it comes time to add to that collection, he's more loyal to the chase of a ring than he is a city. If Cleveland is the best place for that, he'll be loyal.

Sage

Keebler wrote: I believe him actually. He actually looks like he is having fun with this team, unlike when he was with the Lakers.

SQ_Crazies

This has nothing to do with him being loyal to Cleveland.

jpake1

^What doesn't?

thavoice

LTrain23 wrote:
thavoice wrote: Of course he is gonna say that. He would be saying that in ANY city that he would be playing for becuase if he can win another ring....wow..in another city....that is totally amazing. Just be thankful he didnt pull a Spinal Tap moment and give the wrong city name!
Like he said in Miami? Like he said in LA?

As another poster said, Shaq hasn't left any city, with the exception of Phoenix in good terms.

You can tell by the fun he's having on the bench and off the court that he truly means what he's saying.. One thing Shaq does, is tell it how it is..

How do you know he didnt say that in La, or Miami? You read every article about the Shaqctus all those years?

I alwawys liked Shaq......

SQ_Crazies

This whole thing, I don't think anyone cares about him being loyal to a city that he may only play one year in. He's just stomping out things that have been said in the past about playing in a place like Cleveland. Stomping out things that are being said right now about LeBron staying "in a city like Cleveland". And giving his teammates and his organization credit for being as good as he's been around--which is saying a lot.

jpake1

I agree, and It said I agree with what he said. I was just commenting on what people said previously, which sorta got away from what he said.

SQ_Crazies

I got ya.

I love seeing him give the organization credit too. It's GREAT for the Cavs to have a player like Shaq give them props because it validates everything Gilbert said he was going to do when he bought the franchise. You have to love owners like that. He set goals to make the Cavs the best and he's doing everything he can to make sure they meet them. That's great for the present and the future. Never hurts when fishing the FA market to be considered one of the top franchises in the game.

jpake1

I've learned one thing about the NBA. Owners are the MVP's of teams. Without a cool owner, you won't get far. You need MVP type performances from every level of your franchise, and it starts with the owner. If they aren't in it to win it, get off that sinking ship before you catch some disease.

Scarlet_Buckeye

Shaq was just at JCU this past Monday filming a commercial for Comcast with Ben Stein.

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