LeBron-Shaq chemistry at work at least in practice

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

LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal have practiced together for only two days. Despite the small sample size, Cleveland Cavaliers teammate Mo Williams has seen enough to see the 2.16-meter (7-foot-1) O’Neal blending nicely with James.

“It’s like a relationship that was destined to happen, it just took too long to happen,” Williams said on Wednesday. “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 team-best 66 games in the last 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 its first NBA 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.”

The Cavaliers’ first practice game is on Saturday 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.”               (AP)