AKRON, Ohio (AP) - Now teammates, and LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal were opponents one last time.The NBA superstars were on opposing teams on Saturday as the Cleveland Cavaliers held their annual Wine and Gold scrimmage in front of 5,000 fans at the University of Akron's Rhodes Arena, a gym where James played many of his high school games.
O'Neal, acquired in an offseason trade, played for the Gold while James led the Wine.
Shaq's team won 54-38.
O'Neal was unofficially 6 of 8 from the field, dropping at least four short jumpers and one layup when he got behind the Wine's defense. The 7-foot-1 big man is settling into his new home, but he's still learning about some of his new teammates.
When he checked in at the scorer's table during the second quarter, O'Neal wasn't sure whom he was replacing.
"I got the big kid," he said, pointing toward 7-foot-2 rookie center Luke Nevill. "I don't know his name."
He knows all about James, though. Earlier in the day, O'Neal and James mugged for the cameras and generally clowned around during the team's media day, which was postponed after two hours on Monday because of a power outage. James and O'Neal rapped some lyrics together and lifted guard Mo Williams off the ground during a photo shoot.
O'Neal, who has won four NBA titles, believes he has joined a special group.
"On paper, this is a perfect team," he said. "Shooters, big guys, slashers and the King. On paper, it's a damn good team."
James has been impressed with O'Neal's athleticism and physical condition.
"He's in shape. He looks great," said James, who scored 10 points but missed 5 of 7 free throws. "You can't ask for more than that. He's getting up and down the court. He's playing defense. He's looking really good in the low post on offense. That's what we got him here for."
