JO seems to be re-energized and enjoying himself

[Chris]

I think we are just seeing a pain free JO.  He was miserable earlier in the season, because he was playing through pain.  Now, he seems to be healthy (at least for the moment...knock on wood), and I think he looks basically like what he looked like earlier last year.  He still needs to continue to get comfortable in the system, and get his timing back, but if he can stay healthy, I am feeling really good about JO going into the playoffs. 

[mc34]

i don't want to toot my own horn, but i've always remained positive about JO ever since the signing. i thought he'd fit in well because he's been through some real battles and sincerely wants to win. injury was definitely a problem, but i was very excited when i heard news about him returning.

i would also want to see more of JO and less BBD, but i think baby steps (no pun intended) is the way to go. hopefully come playoff time, he'll have taken on a much bigger role. playing good D, rebounding, hustle and taking smart shots, that's what i expected to see from him. if i had to settle for a 9man rotation and everyone was healthy, i'd go for the Big4+Shaq, with JO/Green/West as the primary subs, and then BBD or Krstic to get the extra big's minutes.

I think, especially after what we saw happen to Shaq yesterday, Doc is just trying to be extremely cautious with JO and not play him a ton of minutes. Eventually he'll take some of Baby's minutes once Doc gets more comfortable with him playing.

[WeMadeIt17]

JO will have his best game as a celtic on Tuesday. I really think he is going to be a clutch signing by Danny because now he is healthy isn't relied upon as much as he was when he was a member of the Heat. Although he is going to have some game in the playoffs to say wow this guy is still a very good starting Center in this league mark my words. Tuesday is going to his best game yet, and in the playoffs is going to step up. I think he should be our starting center by the way. He is very good on D, Has the decent pull up, and can finish around the rim.

[samantha28]

He played well last night, and he seemed to be enjoying himself. Anyone else see him and the Captain smiling and laughing on TV? He is definitely a well-liked guy with chemistry on this team. I was worried that with such a long absence he wouldn't be.

[barefacedmonk]

He looked pretty good last night..hope he continues to improve from here on.

[j804]

He looked pretty good last night..hope he continues to improve from here on.

thats his plan everyday to improve on something

i think the second time he got injured i forget but seemed like he was doing just that getting better and better then he went down again

[ScoobyDoo]

Re Shaq...?

1. 15-20 minutes over the 15-20 games throughout the playoffs

2. Stand big in the middle

3. grab some boards - set some picks

4. Score when opportunites present themselves

5. Most importantly - deliver roughly 3-4 very hard fouls per game that are just shy of flagrants to key guys who try to come down the lane, namely, Wade, LeBron and Kobe. Mostly Kobe

6. Let JO and Nenad handle the rest.

This is all we need from Shaq to raise #18.

You put that intimidating presence in the middle and add JO and Nenad as extra size, our whole swagger changes, the entire team looks different.

Let him sit another week if necessary - just get him healthy and slowly increase his minutes until they get up to around 20 a night come the ECF's.     

[JHTruth]

A healthy JO is an offensively competent Perk. He's a great defender, can shoot, and can hit a FT in the clutch. Can be huge for this team..

[footey]

He will never match Perkins' intensity on defense, but he is longer, which can help against Bynum, with whom Perkins struggles.  Wonder if anyone can weigh in on how Jermaine has done historically vs. Bynum; might not be enough data to draw any conclusions given differences in conferences and injury history of each player.

[Silent Storm]

He's only 32 right? If the most recent surgery solved that nagging knee problem he had then would it not be possible for him to regain some of his old form? This guy has been a very competent player when healthy.

[j804]

He will never match Perkins' intensity on defense, but he is longer, which can help against Bynum, with whom Perkins struggles.  Wonder if anyone can weigh in on how Jermaine has done historically vs. Bynum; might not be enough data to draw any conclusions given differences in conferences and injury history of each player.

Yup Bynum always seemed to have his way with Perk just shooting comfortably right over him

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

I've had high hopes for JO since he signed, and am glad to see him finally settling in. Once he gets his wind, Doc should play him 20 minutes a game, at least. His defensive presence alone makes him that valuable.

[Redz]

Not sure where "boy was I wrong about _____" thread i, but I had a lot more faith in Shaq being able to contribute by the end of the season than I did JO.  It's still scary watching him fall down.  Very tenuous situation.

[Marcus13]

A healthy JO is an offensively competent Perk. He's a great defender, can shoot, and can hit a FT in the clutch. Can be huge for this team..

Wowww ; only on this board

[manbehindtheman]

I've had high hopes for JO since he signed, and am glad to see him finally settling in. Once he gets his wind, Doc should play him 20 minutes a game, at least. His defensive presence alone makes him that valuable.

JO can't guard Bynum at this stage of his career, he is too slow and bynum is quite a bit longer...shaq on the other hand IF IF IF he is healthy can stand in there and box out and commit hard fouls, so shaq has more value if he is even able to stand up and run down the court without pulling/tearing something.