NBA Newlyweds: LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal

Scribe Written on June 25, 2009

MIAMI - FEBRUARY 01: Shaquille O'Neal #32 of the Miami Heat greets LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers before the game at American Airlines Arena February 1, 2007 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

(Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

LeBron James has a new BFF.

While it might not be Paris Hilton, it is Shaquille O'Neal, who has become an NBA equivalent of wrinkly Rolling Stones rocker Mick Jagger. Despite his aging years, Shaq's brides always seem to stay the same age.

Onto his fifth set of nuptials of his career, there has been plenty of satisfaction for Diesel. Firstly with high school sweetheart Kobe Bryant in LA, then he had a fling with his prom date Dwyane Wade in Miami. Steve Nash in Phoenix was a cougar by comparison, and, unsurprisingly, that relationship didn't last.

Like anyone who has been down the aisle as often as he has, there has been love and betrayal along the way, along with trust and dishonesty and pain and hurt.

But now Shaq has found love again with youth.

Who said you can't always get what you want?

At first glance, the bride of this latest relationship isn't totally clear. Shaq has always demanded respect but hasn't always given it back. He comes second to nobody. His childish sniping of Orlando's Dwight Howard this past season showed that Shaq can sometimes be a contradiction of himself.

He can't understand why he isn't always given his dues, but then dismisses others' claims.

But there is no doubt that O'Neal is in Cleveland at the behest of James. He'll be expected to follow the King's orders just like everyone else under James' rule, management included.

The Cavs are desperate and the stakes are at their greatest. There might not be any second chances from here. No matter who was at fault for their exit to the Orlando Magic in the playoffs, Cleveland knows that they cannot afford to lose LeBron's trust.

If he walks next season, the Cavs will get nothing in return and Shaq goes too. If Cleveland can't win a championship with James, what hope do they have without him?

In Shaq, the Cavs are hoping the big Aristotle can muster one last challenge. He's 37, but last season he made the All-Star game and proved that, individually, he can still be a factor.

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written on June 25, 2009 Opinion

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