LeBron James insists he is not changing. He contends his teammates will not change the way they play, either, just because of the addition of Shaquille O'Neal.

The only thing the Cleveland Cavaliers hope O'Neal changes is what happens in June -- when the NBA Finals are played.

The Cavaliers traded for O'Neal for one reason: to win an NBA title. The mountain in the middle of the lane certainly gives the Cavaliers a different look, and that look was on display last night at Pitt's Petersen Center for a preseason game against the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks rested their top players, and the Cavaliers rolled to an easy 96-66 victory in front of 10,011 spectators.

"I'm a winner, I want to win and I'll do whatever it takes to win," James said. "But my game doesn't change [because of O'Neal]. No one's game changes. But there will be more opportunities for everyone with the big fella in the middle because he attracts double teams."

There are thousands of reasons to like O'Neal's addition to the Cavaliers. He is one of only two players in NBA history (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar the other) to have 27,000 points, 12,000 rebounds and 2,500 blocks. O'Neal has four NBA championships rings. James has been in the Finals once three seasons ago -- and the Cavaliers lost to San Antonio.

"We realize the expectations are high," said O'Neal, who was dressed in a Ben Roethlisberger throwback jersey and sweat pants after the game.

"Hopefully, I'm the missing piece that gets this team over the hump and gets this city [of Cleveland] over the hump."

O'Neal played 20 minutes and had six points and seven rebounds while James played 26 minutes and had 12 points.

But offense was not the main reason O'Neal was acquired. He gives the Cavaliers someone big enough and strong enough to possibly defend Orlando star Dwight Howard, who torched the Cavaliers in NBA Eastern Conference finals last season.

When asked if O'Neal will make a difference more offensively or defensively, James said, "Just his presence alone is going to help us on both ends of the floor, with just his willpower and his will to win, no matter what it takes."

So far this preseason, it has been a feeling-out process for O'Neal and his new team.

Some of the Cavaliers' starters, including James, have missed games and practices because of the flu.

"We're getting to know each other better," O'Neal said. "It's vital I start memorizing the plays a little better. ... This is a different system than I've ever played."

Cavaliers coach Mike Brown plans to play O'Neal 26 to 28 minutes during regular-season games.

"Come playoff time, we can extend those minutes," Brown said.

O'Neal said, "I had a long summer off, so my legs are rested. Whatever they need me to do, I'll do."

The Cavaliers had the reputation of having a "loose" team last season, and O'Neal "fits right in," James said.

O'Neal's wit was on display after the game while talking with reporters. When he was told the only other time he played a basketball game in Pittsburgh was when he was a senior in high school (1989) at the Dapper Dan Roundball Classic at what was then the Civic Arena, he said, "Oh yeah, I remember that. I was MVP."

He was right.

O'Neal had 18 points, 14 rebounds and six rebounds in the all-star game with the top players in the country.

Roethlisberger and a few other Steelers watched the game from courtside last night.

When asked whether Roethlisberger had his jersey, O'Neal said, "Of course."

When asked if he was a Steelers fan, O'Neal said, "I'm a Ben fan. I know too many guys to be a fan of a team."

Dallas was without several of its top players as they were either rested or hurt. Neither Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Shawn Marion or Josh Howard played.

Matt Carroll started at guard for the Mavericks.

A sixth-year pro, Carroll has ties to Pittsburgh and family who still live in the area. He lived in the Wexford section of the North Hills and attended St. Alphonsus Grade School until moving to the Philadelphia area as a high school freshman. He then played at Notre Dame.

His grandfather is Don Graham, the legendary former North Catholic basketball coach who has the most wins of any coach in Pennsylvania high school history.

Carroll had a good night, finishing with a team-high 15 points,

"It's hard to say what role I'm going to have," said Carroll.

"We have a really good team this year. We kind of loaded up, so obviously there isn't going to be a ton of minutes.

"I'm here to shoot the basketball, space the floor. It's just a matter of how many opportunities there are going to be."

Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.