Shaq new nickname: "The Big Time Machine"

[TheReaLPuba]

I know he's no where near the player he once was...but this old soul still has his old tricks, his size, and his knowledge of the game.

He doesn't play as many minutes as he used to but if he did play 30-35 mpg I wouldn't be surprised if he still averaged 20-23 ppg and 10 boards....even at the tender age of 38, Shaq is still a major force out there on the floor...no longer a "savior" for a franchise...but he can still carry a team in a game here and there and he's still a player who you can not ignore when he's got it going.

And is it just me or do other people feel that Shaq can hit his free throws when he really wants to? I mean last night his mom was at the game and for whatever reason I saw a more focused Shaq at the free throw line (maybe he just had a good feel for it that game?) and even his misses were dead on but just backed rimmed them...

[Greenbean]

I know he's no where near the player he once was...but this old soul still has his old tricks, his size, and his knowledge of the game.

He doesn't play as many minutes as he used to but if he did play 30-35 mpg I wouldn't be surprised if he still averaged 20-23 ppg and 10 boards....even at the tender age of 38, Shaq is still a major force out there on the floor...no longer a "savior" for a franchise...but he can still carry a team in a game here and there and he's still a player who you can not ignore when he's got it going.

And is it just me or do other people feel that Shaq can hit his free throws when he really wants to? I mean last night his mom was at the game and for whatever reason I saw a more focused Shaq at the free throw line (maybe he just had a good feel for it that game?) and even his misses were dead on but just backed rimmed them...

He is giving us so much now I hope we can get healthy so we can rest him some. I want this exact play in the playoffs. Very exciting!

Regarding his free throws, the guy is just too big to have the coordination to consistently hit free throws. Just like Rondo, he shoots flat footed so he never has a good base. Im not sure he can get on is toes.

Rondo on the other hand has no excuse. He has big hands but he needs to be more consistent with his base if he ever wants to be a good free throw shooter.

[billysan]

Regarding his free throws, the guy is just too big to have the coordination to consistently hit free throws. Just like Rondo, he shoots flat footed so he never has a good base. Im not sure he can get on is toes.

Rondo on the other hand has no excuse. He has big hands but he needs to be more consistent with his base if he ever wants to be a good free throw shooter.

The big hands excuse is dated as well. They (Shaq and Rondo) dont have the eye hand combined with depth perception or something.(cant remember the terms) Properly executed technique and the practice of it are supposedly partial but not foolproof solutions. It is what it is.....

Shaq definitely is at risk playing big minutes (25 and above). I think if we get to January and a Perk sighting, Shaq will get a game or two off and a minutes reduction to 12 max for a month or so. If it is before Easter, we should be ok. (fingers crossed)

[kozlodoev]

And is it just me or do other people feel that Shaq can hit his free throws when he really wants to? I mean last night his mom was at the game and for whatever reason I saw a more focused Shaq at the free throw line (maybe he just had a good feel for it that game?) and even his misses were dead on but just backed rimmed them...

Shaq's technique is fundamentally flawed, so whether he makes or misses is pretty much a crap shoot.

I think the main problem is that he is extremely unbalanced when he takes his free throws, so he's always literally falling forward on the release.

If you look at Ray Allen or Paul Pierce, the contrast is evident. And I feel that even with his bad release, Shaq can easily shoot .650+, if he learns to shoot them balanced and put his body behind the shot.

[pearljammer10]

Mentally he seems to be playing like the player he once was. Especially in last nights game. The dominating poses after dunks and blocks, slapping hands with fans in the front row... He just looks like he is having fun and that is making him perform at his best.

[fairweatherfan]

And is it just me or do other people feel that Shaq can hit his free throws when he really wants to? I mean last night his mom was at the game and for whatever reason I saw a more focused Shaq at the free throw line (maybe he just had a good feel for it that game?) and even his misses were dead on but just backed rimmed them...

Shaq's technique is fundamentally flawed, so whether he makes or misses is pretty much a crap shoot.

I think the main problem is that he is extremely unbalanced when he takes his free throws, so he's always literally falling forward on the release.

If you look at Ray Allen or Paul Pierce, the contrast is evident. And I feel that even with his bad release, Shaq can easily shoot .650+, if he learns to shoot them balanced and put his body behind the shot.

Supposedly a big part of the problem is a broken wrist Shaq suffered as a kid.  He doesn't have full range of motion in his shooting hand so his release will always be awkward.  Not sure if this is part of the reason he leans forward though.

Here's one for the statheads - what would Shaq's career FT% be if you removed all those lane violations he gets?  He has to have gotten the most do-overs in league history.

[KGs Knee]

"Big Time Machine' isn't quite accurate.

Shaq has played extremely well so far this season, but his play can't really be considered "throw back" peformances.  Shaq is doing very little posting up, and when he does he more often than not passes out of the post.  The times I have seen Shaq try to post someone up, he has had moderate success at best.

Shaq is contibuting on offense as much as he has because this team understands how to use him better than any of Shaq's most recent teams.  It also helps that we have so many good passers on our team, Rondo and KG in particular.

As far as Shaq's defense and rebounding, I don't think much has changed from any of his most recent seasons.  Shaq will always get defensive rebounds because of his size.  He doesn't even have to try to box out, but still box out.  His defense is what it is.  He can defend in the post, but anyone penetrating the lane off of a pick-and-roll will just go right around him (have seen this numerous times so far this season).

The biggest differnece for Shaq this year, as opposed to recent seasons, is good coaching by Doc, being surrounded by quality players, and a good team atmosphere that has Shaq very happy and involved.  Plus, we know Shaq hates Kobe, and would love nothing more than to destroy him if we both get back to the Finals.  This means Shaq is more motivated than in quite a while.

[Jon]

I think what's most encouraging is that Shaq fits in so well.  So often in years past, Rondo or one of the Big Three would penetrate and flip it to Perk or BBD who would get promptly blocked or botch the layup.  Now, we have a legit guy beneath the hoop who can't be stopped on those passes.  And Shaq loves being that guy. 

This is also the most talent Shaq's ever played with.  Quite frankly, on last year's Cleveland team, he was supposed to be the #2 option.  Now he's the #5 most of the time.  And when he's an afterthought of the defense, he's going to destroy them. 

[Boris Badenov]

Here's one for the statheads - what would Shaq's career FT% be if you removed all those lane violations he gets?  He has to have gotten the most do-overs in league history.

It is probably small.

Suppose he gets a lane violation on a share Y of his FTs, and doesn't get one on (1-Y). If he makes a share X of his FTs, then the violation only matters (1-X) of the time. He will then get to shoot again. If the other team violates again things get more complicated, so let's just say that everyone is super-careful the second time around and you only see one violation per initial attempt.

In that event, his actual FTs made will be:

FT = (1-Y)*X + Y*X + Y*(X)(1-X)

The last term is the gain from violations. It is, in words, (a violation happened)*(he missed the first FT)*(he makes it the second time).

If he gets violations 5% (Y=0.05) of the time (which is an extremely high estimate), and his true FTs made share is X=0.5, then his percentage increases by 0.0125 - or 1.25%. not a big gain.

Here's the question though: suppose he's putting a hitch in his motion in order to actually *incur* the violations. By how much does that reduce his FT% - when there's no violation? It's gotta be more than the gain from tricking people...

[j804]

"Big Time Machine' isn't quite accurate.

Shaq has played extremely well so far this season, but his play can't really be considered "throw back" peformances.  Shaq is doing very little posting up, and when he does he more often than not passes out of the post.  The times I have seen Shaq try to post someone up, he has had moderate success at best.

Shaq is contibuting on offense as much as he has because this team understands how to use him better than any of Shaq's most recent teams.  It also helps that we have so many good passers on our team, Rondo and KG in particular.

As far as Shaq's defense and rebounding, I don't think much has changed from any of his most recent seasons.  Shaq will always get defensive rebounds because of his size.  He doesn't even have to try to box out, but still box out.  His defense is what it is.  He can defend in the post, but anyone penetrating the lane off of a pick-and-roll will just go right around him (have seen this numerous times so far this season).

The biggest differnece for Shaq this year, as opposed to recent seasons, is good coaching by Doc, being surrounded by quality players, and a good team atmosphere that has Shaq very happy and involved.  Plus, we know Shaq hates Kobe, and would love nothing more than to destroy him if we both get back to the Finals.  This means Shaq is more motivated than in quite a while.

Come on you cant me tell me Shaq at 38 isnt looking youthful out there?? he definitely isnt playing like he's 38 years old sheit give some credit