Shaq considering signing with the Hawks.....Update: C's show interest

[kg is king]

I could only justify spending the MLE on Shaq if we had deals in place to fill our other holes using Rasheed's contract.  That includes a backup big and an athletic small forward, at minimum (assuming we re-sign Ray and at least one of Tony / Nate.)

I agree with that. I also think re-signing Nate would then be better than re-signing TA. Nate has good range and could spread the floor. On the other hand, a Bradley/TA combo would make life increasingly difficult for Shaq. If it were B. Miller instead of Shaq then I think we could get away with that backcourt. If that's the case, wouldn't it be wise to work a S & T of Tony to a team with cap space in order to generate a trade exception? We could include something small, say a 2nd rd pick, to make it worth it for the other team.

What's wrong with Bradley? Many people seem to think he doesn't have a perimeter game. Quote from DraftExpress "Bradley hit a variety of pull-up jumpers from the mid-range and from behind the arc, many with a hand in his face, which didn’t seem to do much."

[Neurotic Guy]

In the interest of avoiding hyocrisy, I'll state that Shaq's move to the Lakers from Orlando was dispicable and virtually unforgivable. He took less money to go from a contending warm weather team to a re-building warm weather team.  It threw the balance of the league off for a decade and built a mini-dynasty for our arch-rivals.  Horrific move.  Also precendent-setting for Lebron as it provides justification for Lebron moving from his contending Cleveland team to a contrived super-team.  A move that will be almost as distasteful as Shaq's abandonment of Orlando.

That said, Lakers are Lakers when they play for the enemy, but are just guys when they play for someone else.  I'd welcome Shaq -- but he darn well better help win us a ring.

[Eddie20]

I could only justify spending the MLE on Shaq if we had deals in place to fill our other holes using Rasheed's contract.  That includes a backup big and an athletic small forward, at minimum (assuming we re-sign Ray and at least one of Tony / Nate.)

I agree with that. I also think re-signing Nate would then be better than re-signing TA. Nate has good range and could spread the floor. On the other hand, a Bradley/TA combo would make life increasingly difficult for Shaq. If it were B. Miller instead of Shaq then I think we could get away with that backcourt. If that's the case, wouldn't it be wise to work a S & T of Tony to a team with cap space in order to generate a trade exception? We could include something small, say a 2nd rd pick, to make it worth it for the other team.

What's wrong with Bradley? Many people seem to think he doesn't have a perimeter game. Quote from DraftExpress "Bradley hit a variety of pull-up jumpers from the mid-range and from behind the arc, many with a hand in his face, which didn’t seem to do much."

In his lone season at Texas he shot 43% from the field, 37% from 3, and 54% from the line. Perhaps the stats are misleading, but bottom line those are his stats. Floor spacing would be a major concern of mine if we have TA, Bradley, and Shaq on the floor all at the same time.

Edit: Just look at the box scores and over his last 9 games he shot 3 for 24 from 3PT range. And that's a considerably shorter shot than at the next level.

[33-00-32]

Does anyone else remember how many "easy" baskets BBD and Perk missed this year? A perfect pass from Rajon or Ray or KG and only to see the ball sent back in our face or clang off the iron...Shaq doesn't miss those easy baskets and he gets on the boards which we need. Sign me up for Shaq at anything up to the MLE and fill the rest of what's left after TA, Ray and Nate with vet mins.

[manl_lui]

I love the subplots too:

- The ultimate anti-Laker move by coming to Boston. This could hurt his legacy in LA.
- Evening the score with Kobe "I have one more than Shaq" Bryant.
- We all know about his beef with Dwight and Stan in Orlando.
- 4 hall of famers on one team. How's the locker room morale going to be?

lol...good one.


And not to mention that if Boston wins a championship with Shaq vs the Lakers, there will be at least 50 new Shaq quotes.

how about a new rap by Shaq bashing Kobe again =P that would be nice

and having Shaq on the floor is almost the same as having Perk...

From what Ive seen, in Phoenix where Spurs did the hack-a-shaq, his FT did improve a little bit, maybe the same as perk if not in the 50s range, id still take that, plus he will also give Dwight as much trouble when Perk comes back =), and if we do go back to the finals NO MORE 20 OFFENSIVE BOARDS at least

[Rashi]

Does anyone else remember how many "easy" baskets BBD and Perk missed this year? A perfect pass from Rajon or Ray or KG and only to see the ball sent back in our face or clang off the iron...Shaq doesn't miss those easy baskets and he gets on the boards which we need. Sign me up for Shaq at anything up to the MLE and fill the rest of what's left after TA, Ray and Nate with vet mins.

This.

Sure Shaq doesn't have great offensive moves, but post him under the basket, and he'll finish much better than Perks or Baby due to his great size.

[Eddie20]

Does anyone else remember how many "easy" baskets BBD and Perk missed this year? A perfect pass from Rajon or Ray or KG and only to see the ball sent back in our face or clang off the iron...Shaq doesn't miss those easy baskets and he gets on the boards which we need. Sign me up for Shaq at anything up to the MLE and fill the rest of what's left after TA, Ray and Nate with vet mins.

This.

Sure Shaq doesn't have great offensive moves, but post him under the basket, and he'll finish much better than Perks or Baby due to his great size.

Yep. And great hands to match his finishing ability. How many times have we seen Perk just not be able to handle a Rondo pass?

[Spicoli]

Not only is Shaq a great pickup for the MLE, but Shaq should replace Perkins in the starting lineup, even when he's healthy. A lot of the reason why the offense bogs down is because Perkins does not need to be defended or accounted for on the offensive end. Nobody is dumb enough to leave Shaq at any point during a game, no matter how old he gets. Shaq also draws fouls, and puts the other team in the penalty early. I really see no downside to this move whatsover. I hope we figure out a way to bring him to Boston.

[Evantime34]

Not only is Shaq a great pickup for the MLE, but Shaq should replace Perkins in the starting lineup, even when he's healthy. A lot of the reason why the offense bogs down is because Perkins does not need to be defended or accounted for on the offensive end. Nobody is dumb enough to leave Shaq at any point during a game, no matter how old he gets. Shaq also draws fouls, and puts the other team in the penalty early. I really see no downside to this move whatsover. I hope we figure out a way to bring him to Boston.

On offense Shaq is much better. However, you can't make the argument that he is better than Perk on defense. Perk would keep his starting job due to that defense.

[Eja117]

This tells me Shaq wasted the $300mil he made from the league. Or else he would've retired by now, or signed for Vet min for an actual contender. What other reason would make Shaq go to Atlanta, if its not about the money?

very good point. The government probably took 100 mill. Hius ex wife took another 100. Those two palaces cost $40.

He doesn't want to end up doing Taco Bell commercials for the next decade like Sir Charles and he lost his shot at being a cop

He needs to make another season of Shaq vs but this time make it animals or something.

[alley oop]

...Shaq also draws fouls, and puts the other team in the penalty early...

During the Boston/Cleveland playoffs, Jeff Van Gundy emphasized the value of that.

[Marqui]

Does anyone else remember how many "easy" baskets BBD and Perk missed this year? A perfect pass from Rajon or Ray or KG and only to see the ball sent back in our face or clang off the iron...Shaq doesn't miss those easy baskets and he gets on the boards which we need. Sign me up for Shaq at anything up to the MLE and fill the rest of what's left after TA, Ray and Nate with vet mins.

That would be the perfect offseason.

[celticinorlando]

i would take shaq....he would be better in boston than he was in cleveland

[hpantazo]

I'm calling it now. Shaq will return the the Heat. Now that they have Bosh and Wade, they need a center, and Shaq has a great relationship with Riley and Wade, and he loves the city of Miami.

[Rashi]

I'm calling it now. Shaq will return the the Heat. Now that they have Bosh and Wade, they need a center, and Shaq has a great relationship with Riley and Wade, and he loves the city of Miami.

Yes I was thinking the same, but until he does sign somewhere I will still like the C's to make an effort of getting him.