Shaq Might Still Sign With Atlanta

[Bankshot]

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/68366/20100726/shaq_still_a_possibility_for_hawks/

It appears as though free-agent center Shaquille O'Neal could still land in Atlanta after all.

It was reported recently that O'Neal was a dead issue for the Hawks, but NBA.com's Sekou Smith wrote otherwise on Sunday.

"Per one Hawks official: 'The Shaq situation is not a dead subject for us. We are still exploring the possibilities.'," Smith wrote on his Twitter page.

Read more: http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/68366/20100726/shaq_still_a_possibility_for_hawks/#ixzz0usvSaxNt

Do you think Shaq will really sign with the Hawks or is he trying to scare the Celtics, et al into thinking if they want him, they better pay what Atlanta is willing to pay to get him.  He said he wants to play for a contender, but Atlanta is not a serious contender.

I also heard he didn't want to come off the bench.  Did anyone else hear that one?

I guess Danny should wait this out and see if he really signs with Atlanta.  I think it's just posturing to get more money out of Boston.

[Fafnir]

Shaq isn't going to come off the bench, so I wouldn't sweat the C's "calling his bluff" any time soon.

[CelticsWhat35]

I'm not sure what all the Shaq infatuation is.  He's waaaay past his prime.  I would much rather have a young, athletic type defender/rebounder that will sign for the vet min rather than wasting Sheed's contract on Shaq.

[Fafnir]

I'm not sure what all the Shaq infatuation is.  He's waaaay past his prime.  I would much rather have a young, athletic type defender/rebounder that will sign for the vet min rather than wasting Sheed's contract on Shaq.

The problem is that young athletic rebounder types get signed to big deals.

Look at Amir Johnson!

[Snakehead]

Atlanta still makes the most sense for him I guess, they could use a real C to move Horford to PF and obviously they could really use a matchup for Dwight Howard who absolutely owns them.  

Though I'm not sure what that does to the rest of their lineup.  They better be keeping Josh Smith in the starting lineup, he's far too valuable.  Maybe move him to SF and bring Marvin off the bench.

You lose shooting that way, but you allow Horford to gain some space and move away from the rim with his game and you have a reliable low post scorer to throw it in to in Shaq.  And that's a strong rebounding line up.  Marvin has not become the player I thought he could but coming off the bench he'd be great.  With Crawford and Williams off the bench you are much improved with your reserves and you're bringing a lot of energy.

[Greenbean]

I'm not sure what all the Shaq infatuation is.  He's waaaay past his prime.  I would much rather have a young, athletic type defender/rebounder that will sign for the vet min rather than wasting Sheed's contract on Shaq.

Such as...

[ssspence]

I'm not sure what all the Shaq infatuation is.  He's waaaay past his prime.  I would much rather have a young, athletic type defender/rebounder that will sign for the vet min rather than wasting Sheed's contract on Shaq.

And i'd like to live in a log cabin on a hill where blue birds sing and there's a whiskey spring. Sounds good, but it ain't gonna happen.

[Bankshot]

Atlanta still makes the most sense for him I guess, they could use a real C to move Horford to PF and obviously they could really use a matchup for Dwight Howard who absolutely owns them.  

Though I'm not sure what that does to the rest of their lineup.  They better be keeping Josh Smith in the starting lineup, he's far too valuable.  Maybe move him to SF and bring Marvin off the bench.

You lose shooting that way, but you allow Horford to gain some space and move away from the rim with his game and you have a reliable low post scorer to throw it in to in Shaq.  And that's a strong rebounding line up.  Marvin has not become the player I thought he could but coming off the bench he'd be great.  With Crawford and Williams off the bench you are much improved with your reserves and you're bringing a lot of energy.

Disagree that Atlanta makes the most sense for him. He wanted to go to a contender and they are not legit contenders, imo.  His only hope to land on a contender is the Celtics.

[Birdbrain]

Well if it's true via the twitter guy that he wants to start ala Iverson/Tmac then I'll be happy to see him sign in Atlanta.  He's a nice insurance piece or 10-15 min player anymore. 

It was nice knowing ya.

[guava_wrench]

Atlanta still makes the most sense for him I guess, they could use a real C to move Horford to PF and obviously they could really use a matchup for Dwight Howard who absolutely owns them.  

Though I'm not sure what that does to the rest of their lineup.  They better be keeping Josh Smith in the starting lineup, he's far too valuable.  Maybe move him to SF and bring Marvin off the bench.

You lose shooting that way, but you allow Horford to gain some space and move away from the rim with his game and you have a reliable low post scorer to throw it in to in Shaq.  And that's a strong rebounding line up.  Marvin has not become the player I thought he could but coming off the bench he'd be great.  With Crawford and Williams off the bench you are much improved with your reserves and you're bringing a lot of energy.

Disagree that Atlanta makes the most sense for him. He wanted to go to a contender and they are not legit contenders, imo.  His only hope to land on a contender is the Celtics.

It isn't clear that we will be better than Atlanta this upcoming season.

[Bankshot]

Atlanta still makes the most sense for him I guess, they could use a real C to move Horford to PF and obviously they could really use a matchup for Dwight Howard who absolutely owns them.  

Though I'm not sure what that does to the rest of their lineup.  They better be keeping Josh Smith in the starting lineup, he's far too valuable.  Maybe move him to SF and bring Marvin off the bench.

You lose shooting that way, but you allow Horford to gain some space and move away from the rim with his game and you have a reliable low post scorer to throw it in to in Shaq.  And that's a strong rebounding line up.  Marvin has not become the player I thought he could but coming off the bench he'd be great.  With Crawford and Williams off the bench you are much improved with your reserves and you're bringing a lot of energy.

Disagree that Atlanta makes the most sense for him. He wanted to go to a contender and they are not legit contenders, imo.  His only hope to land on a contender is the Celtics.

It isn't clear that we will be better than Atlanta this upcoming season.

Well it's clear to me.  Unless Atlanta adds someone other than Shaq, we are definitely better.

[Birdbrain]

Atlanta still makes the most sense for him I guess, they could use a real C to move Horford to PF and obviously they could really use a matchup for Dwight Howard who absolutely owns them.  

Though I'm not sure what that does to the rest of their lineup.  They better be keeping Josh Smith in the starting lineup, he's far too valuable.  Maybe move him to SF and bring Marvin off the bench.

You lose shooting that way, but you allow Horford to gain some space and move away from the rim with his game and you have a reliable low post scorer to throw it in to in Shaq.  And that's a strong rebounding line up.  Marvin has not become the player I thought he could but coming off the bench he'd be great.  With Crawford and Williams off the bench you are much improved with your reserves and you're bringing a lot of energy.

Disagree that Atlanta makes the most sense for him. He wanted to go to a contender and they are not legit contenders, imo.  His only hope to land on a contender is the Celtics.

It isn't clear that we will be better than Atlanta this upcoming season.

Fair point and isn't clear whether the Clippers will be better than the Lakers this season as well.

[nickagneta]

I'm not sure what all the Shaq infatuation is.  He's waaaay past his prime.  I would much rather have a young, athletic type defender/rebounder that will sign for the vet min rather than wasting Sheed's contract on Shaq.

The problem is that young athletic rebounder types get signed to big deals.

Look at Amir Johnson!

At this point I would be all over Louis Amundson before I would even think of Shaq.

His Per36 numbers last year 11.4 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.3 blocks 0,9 steals shooting 55% from the field. Need a backup center for 10-15 minutes that can rebound and block shots, there's your guy.

[Birdbrain]

I'm not sure what all the Shaq infatuation is.  He's waaaay past his prime.  I would much rather have a young, athletic type defender/rebounder that will sign for the vet min rather than wasting Sheed's contract on Shaq.

The problem is that young athletic rebounder types get signed to big deals.

Look at Amir Johnson!

Only Toronto thinks Amir Johnson is a young athletic rebounder.

[Fafnir]

I'm not sure what all the Shaq infatuation is.  He's waaaay past his prime.  I would much rather have a young, athletic type defender/rebounder that will sign for the vet min rather than wasting Sheed's contract on Shaq.

The problem is that young athletic rebounder types get signed to big deals.

Look at Amir Johnson!

Only Toronto thinks Amir Johnson is young athletic rebounder.

What makes him not young? He's 24, he's certainly athletic, and he rebounds at 16.3 rate and 9.9 per 36 minutes (comparable to Perkins)