By Brian Windhorst, The Plain Dealer
April 14, 2010, 8:29PM
Love reading this.ATLANTA -- It may never truly be his home, but over the last nine months Shaquille O'Neal said he's developed a special feeling for Cleveland and especially Richfield Township, where he's rented a house.
Which is why, as the Cavaliers prepare to embark on a playoff run, O'Neal said he's become highly motivated to win a championship. Not just because of his personal goal to make it to five rings before contemporaries Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan -- though that's a significant reason -- but because he's learned what it would mean to the long-suffering fan base.
"I think about it everyday," O'Neal said Wednesday before the Cavs wrapped the regular season against the Atlanta Hawks.
"When I first came here I said whatever I do I'm going to leave my mark on you. For us to win a championship for Cleveland, that would never be forgotten. I could be 90 years old and people would say 'weren't you that guy who used to live in Richfield?' Yeah, that's me. I love Cleveland. I do.
"I must say I'm very, very impressed and surprised at how Cleveland has been. Me only having been in a sunny environment, I wasn't sure how it would go. But I'm having a fabulous time. If they want me back, I'll be back [next season].
"I live in Richfield, people don't bother me, it is quiet, the fans are fabulous. I'm having a great time. I'm actually quite impressed at what the organization has done."
O'Neal's contribution to the effort will wait until the weekend. Despite being cleared to play and getting several practices in, O'Neal was in street clothes on Wednesday as coach Mike Brown decided against playing O'Neal or LeBron James against the Hawks.
The decision was made despite what ire it may draw politically with the Most Valuable Player sitting out the season's last four games or whether the Cavs have an adjustment period ahead in the playoffs.
"I listen to a lot of people, I'm open to listening to everybody," Brown said. "At the end of the day, I have to make the final decision whether it is good or bad; it rests upon my shoulders. I'm OK with that."
O'Neal, who probably could have played in the last two games had he been needed, was fine with Brown's decision. He said a strict diet and workouts with assistant coaches have gotten him in good shape for the playoff run.
"I only take orders and next week is what everybody has been waiting for," O'Neal said.
"I'm ready, physically and mentally. I think we're all ready. We know what it at stake. We don't know who we're going to play, but it doesn't even matter. It is all about us. I knew it was vital that I had to come back better and that is why I took my own initiative to change everything.
"Me and coach [Hank] Egan worked everyday, me and [therapist] George [Sibel] worked every day. I ordered meals from a friend of mine in Orlando. I've haven't had a burger in seven week. I've been swimming and stretching, I'm ready."
