How Do the Cleveland Cavaliers Incorporate Shaquille O'Neal Back in the Lineup?

Shaquille O'Neal took part in some scripted parts of non-contact practice this week, indicating that his return to the hardwood could come sooner rather than later.

However, coach Mike Brown has hinted that he won't rush O'Neal back from his thumb injury and that he might not be back until the playoffs.

But Shaq has said that he is ahead of schedule in the initial six-week timetable that was diagnosed late February. And if that's the case, it's in the Cavs best interest to try and get him back on the floor before the postseason begins.

The Cavs haven't had a full, healthy lineup since Jan. 21, when Mo Williams injured his shoulder against the Raptors.

Then came the trade for Antawn Jamison on Feb. 17.

O'Neal went down against Boston on Feb. 25.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas was re-signed on Mar. 23.

Since then, Mike Brown has been juggling lineups and rotations left and right. While the rotations have settled a bit in the past week, it's imperative for Cavs to have a solid eight or nine man rotation come playoff time.

And the playoffs aren't the time to try and work Shaq back into the rotation. Especially in a potential first round matchup with Toronto.

Toronto loves to use their bigs to stretch the floor. In the second game of the season, when the Cavs were still learning how to play with O'Neal, the Raptors opened the court up with Andrea Bargnani, who hit deep shots from everywhere on his way to an 11-for-15 night and 28 points.

Mike Brown has repeatedly said throughout the year that O'Neal's minutes and touches will increase in the postseason. Whether or not his injury has any impact on those plans remains to be seen, but (I know I'm being repetitive and stressing the same thing over and over) the playoffs shouldn't be the time to incorporate Shaq back in the rotation.

I'm not worried about the big man's conditioning, but I am worried about his game shape. Any athlete will tell you that when you're out for weeks, it takes a little bit of time to get your rhythm back. The hook shots in the lane, the timing on passes, knowing when and where to rotate defensively...all of these will be just a step off.

Look at Ilgauskas, who struggled a bit in his first couple of games back.

That's why (if he's ready to play, of course) it'd be a real plus to get him back in the regular season, even if it's just for the final two games.

The Cavs have already locked up home court advantage in the East, and one more win or Laker loss will clinch home court for the playoffs. So now is as good of time as any to tinker and finalize your rotations for the postseason.

I'm not suggesting that two games is going to magically get Shaq back to 100 percent in terms of game speed, conditioning, and performance. But it will help.

And also, if the Cavs lose one or two of those games, so what? It will have no impact in the long haul. But if those first two games with O'Neal back are in the playoffs, and they somehow drop one, then it completely changes the course of that series.

And don't forget about the trickle-down effect that O'Neal's return will have on other rotation players.

J.J. Hickson, who has been playing his rear off in the last few games (evidenced by his 16-rebound game against Atlanta), has made it clear that he deserves minutes in the postseason. But with Shaq back, he'll move back to the bench—how will that impact his play?

Leon Powe's grind-it-out style in the paint has bought him some well-earned minutes with O'Neal out. He's the one who I fear will see some diminished minutes. Him and O'Neal have only been active for one game this year: at Boston on Feb. 25.

The Cavs will have a lot of rotation questions for the playoffs. While it's preferable to have a plethora of players to choose from rather than a minimal amount, it's still an issue that needs to be addressed, sooner rather than later.

I'd rather see it resolved (as best as possible) in the meaningless final four or five regular season games than in the playoffs, when the real season begins.