LeBron, Shaq make preseason debut

CLEVELAND — The LeBron and Shaq Show is off and running.

NBA icons, All-Stars and A-plus-list celebrities LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal made their debut as Cleveland teammates on Tuesday night in the Cavaliers’ 92-87 preseason-opening victory over the Charlotte Bobcats.

The two are hoping to end this city’s pro sports championship drought stretching to 1964, and while they are as much as nine months away from accomplishing that goal, it’s already clear their pairing will be fun to watch.

James, wearing a pink pair of his signature Nikes for breast cancer awareness month, scored 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting in 14 minutes. O’Neal, who said his goal is to “win a ring for the King” in Cleveland, scored six points and added three rebounds and a block in 15 minutes. Neither played in the second half.

D.J. Augustin, whose third-year option was exercised before the game, scored 12 for the Bobcats. Charlotte was without injured starters Tyson Chandler (ankle surgery) and Boris Diaw (ankle sprain). Bobcats coach Larry Brown was called for a technical foul by official Ben Taylor, one of three replacement referees being used while the regular refs are locked out. Brown spent most of the night chirping at the refs.

Everything James and O’Neal do together will get added attention this season, and it won’t be limited to their on-court moves. The Cavaliers’ pregame introductions, which already ranked among the league’s splashiest before Shaq’s arrival, could rival Broadway productions.

The Cavs didn’t provide any sneak preview, as James and O’Neal simply slapped hands and saluted each other when they were introduced.

While the James-O’Neal pairing seems ideal, some are wondering if their personalities will mesh and if the arranged marriage will work.

“I don’t see why not,” Brown said. “LeBron’s gotten better every second he’s been in the league. To get a quality player like Shaq, who’s been special his whole career, without giving up anything, it’s phenomenal.”

Cavaliers guard Delonte West, battling mental sickness and legal troubles, had been expected to play 15 to 20 minutes but didn’t leave Cleveland’s locker room. He warmed up 90 minutes before tip-off and sat in his cubicle before the game, but never joined his teammates on the bench.

West, who has bipolar disorder, was arrested last month on weapons charges in Maryland after police found him carrying three loaded guns while riding a three-wheel motorcycle. He faces a likely league suspension pending the resolution of his criminal case. West didn’t show up for team’s first four practices of training camp last week, absences the team termed unexcused.

The Cavs have been taking a one-day-at-a-time approach with West, who has been their second-best player in the past two postseasons. For now, the team is content to give West space and time.

O’Neal has missed more than 5,000 free throws during his career, a flaw that led to the birth of Hack-A-Shaq, a late-game strategy teams have used against the big man for years.

O’Neal scored the game’s first point from the line, drawing a huge ovation from Cavs fans hoping its an omen of made free throws to come.