Shaq Says Cavaliers, With Him At Center, Have All The Right Pieces

July 2, 2009 6:44 p.m. EST

Independence, OH (AHN) - Shaquille O'Neal is ready to rock in Cleveland and claimed Thursday he will do his utmost to bring an NBA title to this championship-hungry city along with reigning MVP Lebron James.

The 7-foot-1, veteran of 17 seasons was introduced Thursday by his newest team and he immediately made his presence felt, saying the Cavaliers all have the right pieces in place.

Cleveland, though, would need to play as a team, O'Neal said, adding that his four championship rings wouldn't matter if the unit doesn't act as one to get everything done next summer.

O'Neal ended his brief, lackluster trip to the desert last week, bolting Phoenix after nearly a two-year stint to join James in the latest shift of force in the Eastern Conference.

From one title-hungry franchise to another, O'Neal is joining the Cavaliers who wasted the league's best overall record in losing to the Orlando Magic in last season's Eastern Conference finals.

Desperate to finish as the best next season with James approaching free agency, Cleveland shipped Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic and a future second-round pick to the Suns for O'Neal.

O'Neal said Thursday he's in Cleveland to protect The King, in reference to James, and will just do his share in the team led by the star forward.

Last season, O'Neal averaged 17.8 points and 8.4 rebounds in 75 games with the Suns.

It was one of his finest seasons in recent years or Shaq-Daddy.