I agree that Shaq will be unstoppable in the East if he remains healthy, but he's only going to play for another 2 years, right? Isn't his contract with Miami only 2 years? I mean, he might renew or go to another team, but I think he's in Miami for 2 years at the most. As for Detroit, sure they've got a GREAT chance at beating them, but I think Indiana might also have a chance if they keep all their players from last year as well. [/b][/quote]I agree with everything you say here. thats two years that they are actually a contender for the title. Personally I dont think Detroit could have won two games in the finals if Shaq was getting 10-15 more shots. They would have been forced to double team, or they wouldve lost key players to foul trouble. Shaq should have dominated...unfortunatly Kobe took 40 more shots then him in the series, destroying any chance of the Lakers outplaying Detroit (especially with Kobe shooting a pathetic 37%).
So now if they play Detroit, Shaqs gonna get the ball much more, and thats all it should take. Eddie Jones and Wade will go nuts with the defensive attention all on Shaq. If it isnt on Shaq, then he'll score 50 points a game (as he shouldve in the Finals in single coverage).
People talk about Miami trading away their future is stupid: the chances of a young core of players staying together for a long time is much smaller then the chance that Shaq will be dominant.