Shaquille O’Neal Once Expressed Regret About Forgotten Cavs Run With LeBron James: “If I Was Healthy, We Would Have Gotten It Done That Year and Won a Ring.”

When someone speaks of Shaquille O’Neal, one might instantly think of his Los Angeles Lakers titles, Kobe Bryant, and maybe even his win with the Miami Heat. O’Neal has made sure to prove himself during his NBA career, retiring as one of the all-time greats. What few remember, however, is O’Neal’s 2009-10 Cleveland Cavaliers run.

After having won titles with Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade, there was no questioning O’Neal’s ability. So when he teamed up with LeBron James, one only expected a ring in return.

Things did not land in the O’Neal’s favor that year with an injury derailing the entire campaign. Let’s take a look at what the four-time NBA champion has to say about the same.

Shaquille O’Neal on his one year spent with the Cleveland Cavaliers

Now, while O’Neal and the Cavaliers did not win, it was not really a bad season for the team. They finished first in the Eastern Conference with a 61-21 win-loss record, heading straight to the playoffs with a promise for a title. No one was expecting O’Neal’s injury, and another six years to win a title.

Glen Davis hit O’Neal’s hand while shooting, which ended up sidelining him for weeks with an injured right thumb which required surgery. While O’Neal hoped to make it up during the playoffs, they could not get past the Boston Celtics during the Conference Semi-Finals. O’Neal never won a title again.

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“We were in 1st place. Big Baby breaks my hand and I had to sit out 5 weeks late in the year…I know for a fact if I was healthy, we would have gotten it done that year and won a ring,” O’Neal said.

He was averaging 12 points, 6.7 rebounds per game when he was sidelined.

How did O’Neal feel back then?

Even back then, reports spoke of how O’Neal felt he had let the team down. “He feels like he let us down, but we understand injuries happen in the game,” Jamario Moon said. He added that O’Neal seemed to feel upset over it, and had let the team know they should continue playing well while he recovers.

Unfortunately, as the season wrapped up, O’Neal and the Cavaliers parted ways. The 2000 NBA MVP ended up in Boston, retiring in 2011. LeBron left the Cavaliers to join the Miami Heat, only to come back and win a title in 2016.

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In the end, despite the promise, O’Neal’s 2009-10 run with James and the Cavaliers ended up as one of the NBA’s biggest ‘what if’s’.

Do you think a healthy O’Neal would have won the Cavs their title? Let us know.