Shaq had a big impact

[BballTim]

  I'd like to see Shaq start, for no other reason that to eliminate the possibility of a Shaq/Baby frontline. I was struggling to remember the last time we had such a bad defensive pairing in there. That hurt my eyes more than Rondo's elbow replays.

[Drucci]

Here is the Shaq/Green play I was refering to. You can see how much attention Shaq draws from the Heat defenders when he goes into the post, freeing up Green for the easy lay in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTRDwzZmEqI

[vinnie]

It was odd, because he did look to be limping less in the second half. His presence made a difference in the paint, which was extremely important. Hopefuly he can give another 8 minutes Monday night. I have to miss the game -- UGH.

[MBz]

The biggest impact Shaq had was that he took 8 minutes away from Glen Davis.

[Surferdad]

Here is the Shaq/Green play I was refering to. You can see how much attention Shaq draws from the Heat defenders when he goes into the post, freeing up Green for the easy lay in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTRDwzZmEqI

I was hoping somebody would post some clips, thanks.  I think it also shows how Green should be used offensively, getting his points in the flow of the game.   

[samantha28]

The biggest impact Shaq had was that he took 8 minutes away from Glen Davis.

Totally agree. Only 10 minutes for BBD last night.... one of the best parts of the game.

[asiangreen]

To me, Shaq is a big reason we won last night. You can see the Heat's offense totally changed when Shaq was in there. Not only their hesitation to get into the paint but also their offensive rebounding. Many times, they just rush back to their side when the big Shaq stood around the hoop.

No matter the result of this series would be, I still believe if Shaq, Rondo and other guys are 100% healthy, this Celtics team can win it all. They are the best team right now.

[SHAQATTACK]

I'm biased , but I think his  physical presence is so big just moving about in the lane, it must be like trying to dodge a moving cement mixer and not get run over if your the other team.  

He is so tall, he doesn't have to jump at all, just be big and tuff, and hold postion and he will get garbage rebounds and a few points. He is now wide as he is tall...    

It is PAINFULLY obvious when the O Neals are in the game , we pull ahead or hold ground .

When BIG BABY comes in , he gets trounced inside by the other taller players.  He can go to floor for loose balls and hustle, but we need ABOVE THE RIM D too.  Thats why Green has to stay in the game when KG is out

Few minutes of Baby against 500 + teams is good for Celtics.

[StartOrien]

Few minutes of Baby against 500 + teams is good for Celtics.

He's having a terrible series, and I definitely don't disagree with the limiting of his minutes. However, he has a proven track record against contenders that is undeniable. To say he can't make an impact against the good teams is a complete overreaction to his current poor performance.

[Overrated]

http://twitter.com/MarkShepardSD

Glad to have Shaq back, guess the calf's feeling good enough for him to get in the way of people actually playing basketball.

[Kuberski33]

Yeah, I agree.  Tanguay and Donny were talking about how useless he is and how he hurt the team, and I thought that was ridiculous.  Shaq was a big presence that the Heat had to guard down low on offense, and who took up space and clogged the lane on D.

I was really surprised to hear that coming from Donny.  Anyone who's followed this team carefully all season I think realizes that even if Shaq can just take up some space defensively and set up in the post occasionally on offense - he can help this team. 

Donny seemed to be singing the same tune as most of the national guys.  Weird.

I actually thought Shaq did fine.  He definitely moved better in the 2nd half than in the first.  I'll take him off the bench for 10 minutes a game in his current state over any other option on this roster.

[Senninsage]

Shaq was a big weapon for the Celtics to have coming off the bench. It kept the Heat defenders a bit more honest than usual.

[csfansince60s]

Here is the Shaq/Green play I was refering to. You can see how much attention Shaq draws from the Heat defenders when he goes into the post, freeing up Green for the easy lay in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTRDwzZmEqI

How is that play not an "and 1" with the defender's (Anthony's?) forearm in Green's back pushing him from behind???

Nice play by Green to finish while being pushed from behind.

[Spilling Green Dye]

Few minutes of Baby against 500 + teams is good for Celtics.

He's having a terrible series, and I definitely don't disagree with the limiting of his minutes. However, he has a proven track record against contenders that is undeniable. To say he can't make an impact against the good teams is a complete overreaction to his current poor performance.

Which is why he should be getting 8 to 10 minutes a night.  That's plenty of time for him to make an impact, which he did.  Fortunately the impact was a positive one b/c he played PF and with limited minutes.

Shaq's biggest contribution really was the limiting of Davis.  The team is much better with Shaq on the floor.