Why is everyone so quick to rip JO. I really dont understand it. He's been out 19 straight games and had like one practice to get back into the swing of things. Nate Robinson building his house out of bricks on 13 shots certainly was the biggest factor in the C's loss yesterday. The second was probably Shaq playing only 12 minutes.
Because his injuries are all fictional. Not Rondo's or KGs or anyone else's just his . These are the same people that would rather have Antoine back so just try to ignore them.
I don't know that everybody who thinks O'Neal is tanking would want Antoine. But at least Antoine brings it every night. Maybe some people don't like what he brings. But he brings effort, contageous enthusiasm, and hands. I'd rather have a capable towel waver at the end of the bench...Or anywhere else who's a gamer when called on (Scal / Antoine) than a more talented tanker who predictably sits out half or more of his non-contract year games.
By the way. Since when does being "rusty" stop a guy who's played basketball all his life from being able to catch a freaking basketball? His flu-like "symptoms"? His knee "injuries"? LOL. I'm sorry. I get more of a laugh out of O'Neal's sympathizers than any of the people who see reality and aren't afraid to speak just because O'Neal wears green.
If the guy has a knee injury then the guy has a knee injury... WOuld you rather him force himself onto the court and hobble around or let his rest and take care of his health. Same with the flu. If a guy has the flu, a guy has the flu, why fault him for it? You have no idea what his injury troubles are and how can you even judge him on his performance when he has played pretty much 0 games healthy so far this year?
First game back after two months of doing nothing, and having one practice if he was lucky, he's not going to put up superstar numbers right out of the gate. Plus he looked pretty good on defense in the limited minutes he had yesterday. Let him get his conditioning back and things will start clicking.
Im giving Roy a TP here because like he said, we needed size and length at the center position and JO was ranked above average in most of his statistical categories last year. Now he is in a limited role for us, he isnt going to put up 15 and 8 every night, but he is going to help anchor the second unit defense and give us some size on the boards. Plus, pass on him and let BBD play center?? Seriously, what a joke.