1313034 <p>It is a great early season match-up between the Celtics, who after losing Kevin Garnett, didn't have hopes too high for last years playoffs, whereas the Cavs, who were the favorites to win the East and play the Lakers for the title, were disappointed with the result, a bad showing in the Eastern Finals against the Magic. Both teams have revamped lineups, that will most likely improve two of the best teams in the league. The Cavs signed Shaquille O'Neal, who most people thought was done in the NBA, then had a revived year with Phoenix last season, and the Celtics, who in addition to getting a healthy Garnett back, signed Rasheed Wallace, who will give them a big man who they needed last year in the playoffs. He also gives them a perimeter shooter, and he can space the floor very well. What Shaq does for the Cavs is being a big low-post presence, one of the best in the history of the NBA. Shaq still commands a double team down low, even at this stage in his career. He can get rebounds on the offensive end and defensive end, create second-chances, and most importantly, get some of the focus of The King, LeBron James. This is still LeBron's team, but Shaq mixed with a future Hall of Famer has been a terrific combination. In L.A. with Kobe, it was rocky at times, but it did result in three straight championships. In Miami, with D'Wayne Wade, he teamed with Wade to win another title, and he comes to Cleveland, to unite with the best player in the NBA since Michael Jordan, Lebron James. Don't forget, in Orlando with Penny Hardaway, they led the Magic to the finals, and the playoffs multiple times. Shaq has been on the same team with in my opinion, the three best players in the league, and with two of those, he's one a championship. This is his first season with The King, but I think that the Cavs are the team to beat in the East.&nbsp;</p> <p><span> </span>Onto the Celtics, who added some more talent, and mainly are getting K.G. back healthy. One benefit of having K.G. out last year, is that Big Baby Davis and Kendrick Perkins are much improved. Rajon Rondo is much improved as well, and they still have Paul Pierce, and the greatest shooter of all-time in Ray Allen. Throw in a Rasheed Wallace, and this team is back to where they were two years ago.&nbsp;</p> <p><span> </span>My pick for the game tonight is Cleveland wins, 108 to 103. I think LeBron is a man on a mission, and he puts up at least 25, to show everyone he is still The King, even after that loss to the Magic, and that college kid dunking on him, he's out to prove that he belongs in his throne. He is hungrier than ever to win a title, and with the addition of Shaq, that just made him more determined, and he and the rest of the Cavs want to get off to a good start. Plus, they're practically unbeatable at the Quicken Loans Arena, so thats the pick, and as for the Lakers-Clippers, matchup, I don't need to give much info on who's going to win. The Lakers will slaughter the Clippers, a team distraught after losing their number one pick Blake Griffin for six weeks, and the Lakers, who just got better with the addition of Ron Artest, prove that they are the best, while the Clippers, who share the same city and arena, show that they are still bottom feeders in the city of L.A., and in the NBA.</p> true 2009-10-27T21:13:53Z 97433 0 2009-10-27T21:13:53Z