Le Basketbawl

The Associated Press reported that Cleveland Cavaliers center Shaquille O’Neal practiced with the team on Monday and hopes to be back on the hardwood Wednesday night as the Cavaliers head to Motown to face the Detroit Pistons. ” The Big Pick-Up” has been out for the last ten days after straining his shoulder against the Miami Heat on November 12. O’Neal hurt himself attempting to block a shot by Miami second year forward Michael Beasley; it is believed he injured his right shoulder but he would not confirm that with reporters. Cleveland did well without their big man as they have a 4-1 record in the five games Shaq has missed.

O’Neal told reporters that he was very impressed with the fact that the team would not allow him to take a shot of cortisone and play through the injury. The veteran said “You can tell it’s a great organization. “I was cursing and screaming and trying to make them shoot me up, but they wouldn’t do it. My hat goes off to them for being above board.I’m from the old school. If it ain’t broke, let’s just keep going, shoot it up with whatever is legal. But they refused me many times.”

New York Vinnie agrees with the Future Hall Of  Fame player 100% that how Cleveland handled the injury speaks volumes about the kind of organization they are. They are concerned with their player’s long term well being not doing some Frickin Mickey Mouse patch job like other teams would and do participate in. It is things like that that will keep LeBron James in Cavaliers uniform next season.

Cleveland coach Mike Brown said the team was thinking long term not short term in the situation. The Cavaliers head coach told reporters “It’s early in the season, but even if it’s late, we don’t want to rush anybody back. We understand this is a business for them. They have families to take care of. There’s no need to rush anyone out there without them being right.”

If you do things the proper way you never have to be concerned about the outcome. You take short cuts or the easy way out it bites you in the end every time. The Cavaliers are one of the better teams  in the NBA for a reason; it is the way that they are run from the top down.