A.J.: Shaq changes very little

  • Jeff Hartsell
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  • Posted: Friday, July 17, 2009 12:01 a.m.
    UPDATED: Monday, March 19, 2012 7:04 a.m.
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In between rounds of golf and summer basketball camps this offseason, Anthony Johnson has taken notice of the recent major changes in the NBA's Eastern Conference.

Johnson's take: Vince Carter to Orlando will boost Johnson's Magic team; Shaquille O'Neal to the Cavaliers "doesn't really change things."

"Shaq is always a force to be reckoned with," said Johnson, the veteran Orlando point guard and former College of Charleston and Stall High School standout. "But he's slowing down quite a bit, and it doesn't really change things with how we match up with Cleveland."

Orlando knocked off LeBron James and Cleveland in the Eastern Conference finals before losing to Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA championship series.

In response, the Cavs traded for Shaq, the 15-time All-Star center who vows to win "a ring for the King (James)."

But Johnson doesn't think the addition of Shaq will be enough to get the Cavs by Dwight Howard and the Magic, especially with Carter on board.

"We're a pick-and-roll team, and Shaq is not a pick-and-roll defender," said the 34-year-old Johnson, who is preparing for his 13th season in the NBA. "I think the same issues they had against us last season, they will have again if we face them again."

Meanwhile, the Magic countered the loss of forward Hedo Turkoglu with the signing of Carter, an eight-time All-Star for Toronto and New Jersey.

"Hedo was a great teammate and made a lot of plays, and I hated to see him go," Johnson said. "But we got back in Vince a bona fide superstar who brings us some different dimensions. He's a great shooter and ball-handler and can create opportunities for others like Hedo did, but with more of a superstar flair."

Johnson's annual summer camps have become a Charleston tradition, and the last week of this year's camps is set for Monday-Friday at College of Charleston. It's for boys and girls ages 5-14, with Cougars men's and women's players as counselors, and scheduled guest appearances from the Magic's J.J. Redick and Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle.

For information, go to www.ajbasketballcamp.com.