Was Shaqs recent calf strain a blessing in disguise?

[chambers]

Okay so the big fella went down, everyones hearts sunk.
Woke up the next day with that feeling of a half hangover of sadness/frustration to quickly learn that it is a minor calf strain.

Now we've heard it all before about only taking a few games out and how it's minor etc...not really knowing what to believe.
But this injury happened on the calf muscle just above that same dodgy Achilles of his. Basically, he's been so immobile not moving that leg, that it's twitched after being stretched like that for the first time in a while... and although the pain would be excruciating, he's come out with a minor calf strain that is obviously related to that achilles heel.

I think that we really got lucky with this one and that it wasn't more serious. The trainers will be extra careful warming up that leg and for the next week they'll be concentrating on stretching out/moving the area as much as possible so this doesn't happen again in a manner that puts him out forever.

I think because of this slight injury the Celtics will get a lot more out of Shaq in the long run/ post season than we thought after his 6 minutes vs Detroit.
A slight blessing in disguise.

[jojowhite10]

It's certainly lucky that the injury is not more serious, but I don't think any injury at this juncture in time is a blessing. He needs to get some run with the starters before they throw him into the fire of the playoffs.

Certainly they're lucky he wasn't more injured though, you're right. Maybe should have given him a run in practice before trying him out in a game.

[Big_Dave31]

If it is, in fact something minor, then, I think it is actually a blessing in disguise, not for the reasons listed above, but, it may give JO more time to gel with the starters/bench/playbook...

I think for that reason alone, it will be very beneficial, especially as his minutes will continue to increase.

[hwangjini_1]

A blessing, perhaps. But at a minimum it adds another layer of drama to the season. Ha. If nothing else the celtics have made this an exciting and dramatic season so far.

But as long as they finish with a happy ending it is all fine by me.

[moiso]

It's certainly lucky that the injury is not more serious, but I don't think any injury at this juncture in time is a blessing. He needs to get some run with the starters before they throw him into the fire of the playoffs.

Certainly they're lucky he wasn't more injured though, you're right. Maybe should have given him a run in practice before trying him out in a game.

Agreed.  And it's not a good thing that Doc is forced to play JO more than his knee warrants.  That could cause us to end up with neither Oneal.

[Tai]

It's certainly lucky that the injury is not more serious, but I don't think any injury at this juncture in time is a blessing. He needs to get some run with the starters before they throw him into the fire of the playoffs.

Certainly they're lucky he wasn't more injured though, you're right. Maybe should have given him a run in practice before trying him out in a game.

Agreed.  And it's not a good thing that Doc is forced to play JO more than his knee warrants.  That could cause us to end up with neither Oneal.

Krstic backing JO up tonight should help, a lot.

[jsingh1699]

is it confirmed krstic is backing him up?

[SamuelAdams]

I am a big fan of "everything for a reason" in life.

[pearljammer10]

I dont really think any injury is a blessing in disguise... Especially to a key component to a championship caliber team.

[Roy H.]

Honestly, if this is the wakeup call needed to make sure that our trainers properly stretch Shaq, then we need new trainers.  I totally get your point in this thread, but this is something that should have been happening all along.

[Chris]

Honestly, if this is the wakeup call needed to make sure that our trainers properly stretch Shaq, then we need new trainers.  I totally get your point in this thread, but this is something that should have been happening all along.

I agree.  These guys are professionals.  I would be absolutely shocked if the trainers didn't do a lot of extra stretching with Shaq before that game. 

Personally, I think Shaq just overdid it, without enough practice time to build the muscles back up.  But I don't think the trainers are going to be doing anything different this time.  I just hope the team, and Shaq decide to ease him back in a little bit more, rather than throwing him out there after not practicing. 

[j804]

Honestly, if this is the wakeup call needed to make sure that our trainers properly stretch Shaq, then we need new trainers.  I totally get your point in this thread, but this is something that should have been happening all along.

I agree.  These guys are professionals.  I would be absolutely shocked if the trainers didn't do a lot of extra stretching with Shaq before that game. 

Personally, I think Shaq just overdid it, without enough practice time to build the muscles back up.  But I don't think the trainers are going to be doing anything different this time.  I just hope the team, and Shaq decide to ease him back in a little bit more, rather than throwing him out there after not practicing. 

They said he had been playing 3 on 3 it's not like he hadn't had any basketball activity and was just tossed out there. I'm glad whatever happened it's happened now and not in the playoffs, if he has to rest until then so be it. With KG after his calf sprain he's been fine ever since hoping for the same with the Diesel.

[FLCeltsFan]

Personally I think Shaq got a cramp in his calf rather than a strain.  He was able to walk out with no problems and went to an event that night or the next day and wasn't limping.  If it was a strain, I think that he would be on crutches or at least limping and they wouldn't be talking about him coming back so quickly.  My hubby got a cramp in his calf yesterday and for a few minutes was walking just like Shaq did.  Maybe they called it a strain to keep Shaq from looking like such a wimp over a leg cramp.