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LeBron and Shaq ‘are made for each other’

‘It’s like a relationship that was destined to happen,’ Cavs' William says

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  High hopes for Cavs
Sept. 29: Shaquille O'Neal and LeBron James share mutual admiration and a desire to lead Cleveland to a championship.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio - Mike Brown still can’t believe he is coaching two superstars.

Mo Williams called it destiny.

The Cavaliers don’t care if destiny equals dynasty — they’d be happy to win that first NBA championship.

LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal have practiced together for only two days. Despite the small sample size, Williams has seen enough to expect the 7-foot-1 O’Neal will blend nicely with James.

“It’s like a relationship that was destined to happen, it just took too long to happen,” Williams said. “It’s almost like they’re made for each other, especially in our offense. Shaq will fit right in where we’re not trying to force feed him, it will just happen.”

The Cavaliers hope O’Neal is the answer to the team’s post problems after Cleveland won a franchise-best 66 games during the regular season, but failed to get past Orlando and Dwight Howard in the Eastern Conference finals. With the team seeking help for James, who could become a free agent after the season, the Cavaliers are counting on O’Neal as the inside physical force the team has lacked in chasing a title.

“It’s a little weird seeing two of the best out on the floor at the same time, but they’re both very good guys first of all,” Brown said. “Both have great personalities and both want to win. They seem like they fit. They seem like they’ve been together for a while. It’s been entertaining to say the least.”

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The Cavaliers’ first scrimmage is Saturday night in James’ hometown of Akron, while the first preseason game is next Tuesday.

“It’s a dream come true,” James said of playing with O’Neal. “You always want to play with a great. It’s awesome to be out on the same court with him. He’s in really good shape, honestly. It’s still early.”

This is James’ first time sharing the spotlight, while O’Neal had a turbulent relationship with Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles before moving onto Miami and Dwyane Wade. He won championships in both cities, though Bryant and O’Neal often clashed over the spotlight.

At the team’s media day on Monday, O’Neal, who has said he and Bryant are no longer at odds, conceded that he is older now and not as concerned with headlines.

James said Wednesday he isn’t worried about who will be the focal point of the offense.

“I can make adjustments no matter what goes on,” James said. “Me and Shaq will be features of the offense with Mo, also. I can play off Shaq, he can play off me, so it doesn’t matter.”

© 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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