Just a few hours ago, I was asked in conversation as to how I thought the impact of Cleveland's acquisition of Shaq/Jamison would go.  And someone stated that they thought Jamison would do better on Gasol than anyone else on the Cavs - probably play him to a draw.

Before we begin: "who you'd think could play Gasol to a draw..."? Does anyone honestly think that Jamison is a wash with Gasol...???

I certainly don't.

I think that Varejao plays Gasol better than Jamison...

I also don't think that weighing up teams position by position is an effective way of measuring an outcome...

Still, it's an intriguing question:

PG - I think it's a push. Williams is fragile mentally, he's either on, or he's off.  Moreso, I think that all of what the Cavs have at the point are mentally fragile.  LA?  Fisher's old, and more than a step slower.  But I bet at more than one point during the playoffs Fish'll hit a huge shot that changes the flow of a game.

SG - Kobe. Done.

SF - LeBron. Done.

PF/C - I rate the three-headed beast of Gasol/Bynum/Odom quite a bit more than Shaq/Varejao/Jamison and possibly Z. I don't think anyone on the Cavs can stop Gasol if he's on. Odom too. Bynum? It all will depend where his head is at.

The reality tho' is that a lot of it's going to come down to the impact LeBron James has.

And how prepared to play the entire LA team come.

Well... ok: Gasol/Bynum/Odom & bench.  Kobe coming to play's a given.

I'm also interested that there's the assumption that Shaq will cope with Bynum/Howard. I don't think that will happen (him coping). Shaq will probably return mid-way through the first round of the playoffs. On one hand, we have the notion that Shaq will be motivated, as Kobe just won a title to equal him. On the other hand, Shaq's old, and his history of recovery from injuries isn't exactly stellar. There's just as much chance of him coming back out of shape as him returning to where he left off.
Either way, generally speaking the Cavs play just as well without him... and they're going to have to for a while - no Shaq, no Z. It's going to be interesting. Varejao's going to have to step up big-time, and a lot of the guys who normally play at the 4 are going to have to spend time in the center rotation. I see rhythm being somewhat upset, and I think that Cleveland will drop a few unexpected games because of this.
That could impact them long-term, in quite a few ways. When O'Neal's coming back, Cleveland may actually be better off without him (many would argue that they are now!), as they'll probably have established a new rotation, a new 'rhythm'. And regardless of how Shaq fits back into the team - and whether he'll still have residence in Howard's head - I expect (hope?) the Lakers to begin their run to the playoffs. Currently the gap between the teams record-wise is minuscule, and the slightest miscue could tip the balance of who gets homecourt advantage should LA and Cleveland meet in the Finals.
And that, I believe, could have a major impact on the outcome.

Still, getting ahead of it all a bit - still a lot of basketball to go.