SHAQ LOVE

From the time he arrived, O’Neal made it known he is here to support James. Before a recent game, O’Neal was chatting with James in Cleveland’s locker room when he dropped to a knee in a playful show of respect to the league MVP.

“I am here to serve your every need, King James,” O’Neal said.

It’s easy for him.

“I’m a realist,” O’Neal said. “I like to put it in business terms. I ran three different corporations my way and I was successful. But I’m an older guy who is on his way out so they brought me in as a consultant for the new, up-and-coming CEO. I’m here for him.”

“When I get more touches, I’m the most consistent big man to ever play the game.”

O’Neal is loving Cleveland and all it’s sleet, snow and rain. And the city is loving Shaq back.

An O’Neal bobblehead giveaway at a minor league hockey game drew a crowd of more than 18,000 to Quicken Loans Arena. His bigger-than-life personality has easily blended in among the Cavaliers, a collection of guys who genuinely enjoy each other’s company. It’s common for players to hang around for hours after practice.

“Everybody is close,” O’Neal said. “It’s the first team I’ve seen where nine or 10 guys go to dinner on every road trip. I’ve played on teams where this guy hung with this guy. LeBron gets everybody together and sends every one a little bbm (Blackberry message): ‘Dinner at Mortons, be there at eight.”’

Cavs coach Mike Brown raves about O’Neal. The 17-year veteran has been a willing listener and sounding board. He hasn’t complained about a reduction in minutes and responds to Cleveland’s coaches by saying, “Yes, sir” and “No, sir.”

“He’s been terrific,” Brown said. “He makes great suggestions. He talks to the young guys. He’s great for this group. The first words out of his mouth when he came here were, ‘This is LeBron’s team and I’m here to help him get an NBA ring.’ For him to set the tone that way was remarkable.”

Brown points at three lonely banners hanging on a wall high above the Cavs’ practice court. Two represent division titles, the other is for the Cavs’ lone conference crown in 2007.

“He understands what it’s all about, and that’s what makes it special,” Brown said. “Shaq has fit right in. Although he’s taking up a lot of space, he’s fit right in.”