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Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are set for a Christmas day showdown.

Nobody doubted the Cavs last season, when they posted a league-best 66-16 record behind James’ MVP campaign. But Orlando beat them in the East finals, wrecking what could have been a highly anticipated series against Bryant and the Lakers.

Cleveland responded by trading for O’Neal and adding Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon, but all the newcomers’ numbers are down from last season — especially O’Neal’s. It was telling that he spent the entire fourth quarter Monday on the bench while the Cavs were breaking open a close game against the Suns.

His 10.3 points per game and 50.3 field goal percentage are by far career lows, and he can be a liability on the defensive end with his lack of quickness. So was the trade even worth it?

“I said it when the trade was made, I didn’t think that it made them a better basketball team because I didn’t think it solved their problems. To me their problem was wing play, their problem was inability to defend the pick-and-roll, and that’s why they got eliminated by the Orlando Magic, and Shaq did not answer those problems,” said ABC analyst Mark Jackson, adding that Boston’s big men were better pick-and-roll defenders.

“I don’t think that the Cavs have that type of player, and that’s their biggest problem as far as I’m concerned, and that’s why I don’t think they’re a better basketball team. They’re a disaster waiting to happen. Depends on the matchups.”

Jeff Van Gundy, who will work with Jackson and Mike Breen on Friday’s telecast, said Boston has been the East’s best but insisted the Cavs are still finals material. He believes O’Neal proved his value when he got Dwight Howard in foul trouble in Cleveland’s victory at Orlando last month.

“This idea that they have to make some tremendous jump in play I think is a little bit overstated,” he said. “I just think they have to play a little bit better.”

Christmas would be a good time to start. NBA fans will be watching.

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