I think we're on a collision course with Shaq

[FallGuy]

I'm still mostly indifferent to the idea of Shaq (although it does seem possible he's headed here, given this Atlanta development) and very worried about who on our bench can defend Wade, Lebron and Kobe in the playoffs.

[LilRip]

Shaq isn't so bad. i chanced upon game footage in youtube (surprise! not just highlights!) and Shaq is looking pretty good if he comes off the bench or plays limited minutes. it's a clip from game6 of the Bos-Cle series.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L50CSB692U0&feature=related



- LilRip

[biggs]

Look, I feel like Shaq is the final piece of the puzzle here.  Like others have said, he may be the only real player that we can get for sheeds contract. 

I bet Danny is hoping that we could land him for less than sheeds contract, but maybe it's time to roll the dice.

Call me a dreamer, but I want Rudy and Pryzbo for our 1st rounders of 20011/2012.

I want Shaq and would be willing to trade Sheeds contract. (still confident he may pull a PJ Brown and still help us come playoffs  )

Sign Scal for the veteran minimum and your roster is filled my friend.

[Evantime34]

I think in the end Shaq will realize to play on a contender he needs to sign for the minimum. At this point we will be the contender he chooses.

[Kane3387]

Well, Collins is hardly a stud, so I wouldn't rule the Hawks out yet because Collins is "blocking" Shaq from joining. 

Still, if Danny doesn't plan on upgrading the 2/3 anymore, Shaq is looking more and more like a good idea.  Simply put, we need enough firepower on the bench so that Doc can rest Paul and Ray for more than 10 mpg each (ideally something closer to 15+ mpg).  I don't see Wafer/Daniels/Bradley doing that for us. 

However, if you bring Shaq into the equation, it changes things.  Throw him in the post and all of the sudden Von Wafer doesn't need to create his own shot, because he'll be getting better looks with Shaq in the post. 

Not sure if this has been touched on but with Shaq being in the post it allows BBD to be the perimeter big man again like he was in 2008-09. Remember when he was hitting Js in the playoffs while Perk was the guy on the block? When Sheed came that all changed becasue we liked Sheed's 3 ball but BBD is more comfortable on the Free throw line corners. I think him and Shaq would take up the entire paint though and we would probably lead the league in defensive three seconds but on offense Shaq would help us get into the penalty quicker and get some guys some open shots. Also he would help Daniels a lot because he is a good passer and Daniels is a good cutter to the basket.

I agree I think the Big leprechaun happens. he should sign a deal similar to Eddie's Heat deal because the unification of the Celtics Shaq makes too much sense.

[celticsclay]

Look, I feel like Shaq is the final piece of the puzzle here.  Like others have said, he may be the only real player that we can get for sheeds contract. 

I bet Danny is hoping that we could land him for less than sheeds contract, but maybe it's time to roll the dice.

Call me a dreamer, but I want Rudy and Pryzbo for our 1st rounders of 20011/2012.

I want Shaq and would be willing to trade Sheeds contract. (still confident he may pull a PJ Brown and still help us come playoffs  )

Sign Scal for the veteran minimum and your roster is filled my friend.

I agree it needs to happen, most exciting part of offseason as well. Im logging on here all the time for shaq updates...

[Jon]

I'm still mostly indifferent to the idea of Shaq (although it does seem possible he's headed here, given this Atlanta development) and very worried about who on our bench can defend Wade, Lebron and Kobe in the playoffs.

Well, I think Kobe is the biggest problem.  Ray is really the only one with the height and quickness to get it done.  Paul has become a step slow, but could probably do it. 

Off the bench, besides Pierce, Daniels has done a nice job on LeBron over the years.  I see him doing it again this year. 

And I kinda like Avery Bradley on Wade.  Dwayne is only 6-4 or so, so I think Bradley can hang with him.  Though he's going to have to show strides to earn that in the playoffs. 

As for Shaq, part of the reason I like the idea is that he would cause the Heat some headaches.  A frontline of KG/JO/BBD/Shaq throughout the game could abuse the relatively soft Miami interior. 

[MBunge]

To me, the only stubling block to bringing in Shaq is his willingness to come off the bench.

Mike

[MBunge]

As for Shaq, part of the reason I like the idea is that he would cause the Heat some headaches.  A frontline of KG/JO/BBD/Shaq throughout the game could abuse the relatively soft Miami interior. 

Don't forget about Perk, who will hopefully be able to give us something by the time the playoffs roll around.  As much as I love Big Baby when he's not playing like an idiot and getting his shot blocked 78 times a game, I'm drooling at the thought of going into the 2011 playoffs with a reasonably healthy Perk and Shaq at the 5 and KG and JO at the 4.

Mike

[Jon]

To me, the only stubling block to bringing in Shaq is his willingness to come off the bench.

Mike

I'd phrase it as "willingness to take a subordinate role" because he can still start and be very subordinate.  If he plays 20 mpg and Jermaine plays 28 mpg, does it really matter that Shaq happens to play the first 5-6 mpg?  

And I don't think that's a problem.  That's essentially what he did in Cleveland.  

[MBunge]

To me, the only stubling block to bringing in Shaq is his willingness to come off the bench.

Mike

I'd phrase it as "willingness to take a subordinate role" because he can still start and be very subordinate.  If he plays 20 mpg and Jermaine plays 28 mpg, does it really matter that Shaq happens to play the first 5-6 mpg?  

And I don't think that's a problem.  That's essentially what he did in Cleveland.  

The problem is that Shaq needs touches in the post to be effective, and not just 3 or 4 a game, while I think JO can be productive essentially playing the same sort of garbage role on offense that Perk does.  Shaq getting as many touches a possible with the 2nd unit would be a good thing, but I worry that he would disrupt the chemisty of the starters.

Mike

[EJPLAYA]

To me, the only stubling block to bringing in Shaq is his willingness to come off the bench.

Mike

I'd phrase it as "willingness to take a subordinate role" because he can still start and be very subordinate.  If he plays 20 mpg and Jermaine plays 28 mpg, does it really matter that Shaq happens to play the first 5-6 mpg?  

And I don't think that's a problem.  That's essentially what he did in Cleveland.  

The problem is that Shaq needs touches in the post to be effective, and not just 3 or 4 a game, while I think JO can be productive essentially playing the same sort of garbage role on offense that Perk does.  Shaq getting as many touches a possible with the 2nd unit would be a good thing, but I worry that he would disrupt the chemisty of the starters.

Mike

That is true, but considering the starters don't have the same ability to score at will as they once had a true post player who would demand a double team might do them a lot of good. Think of Rondo cutting to the basket and missing a wild layup, which happens way too often, and Shaq grabbing the board and throwing it down. Think of Shaq getting the ball in deep, drawing the double team, and kicking it out to a wide open Ray, PP, or KG for the jumper. None of those 3 want to go to the rim. Perk doesn't require a double team down there so it allows their defenders the ability to stay home.

Shaq isn't the player he once was, but around the rim he still can't be stopped. I'd sure rather he was getting the offensive board than BBD, because the likelihood is that he will be swinging from the rim vs getting his shot thrown back in his face. 

[kozlodoev]

That is true, but considering the starters don't have the same ability to score at will as they once had a true post player who would demand a double team might do them a lot of good.

No-one double-teams Shaq anymore. People play him straight up, and hack him if necessary. He also doesn't have the ability to "score at will" anymore.

[Kane3387]

To me, the only stubling block to bringing in Shaq is his willingness to come off the bench.

Mike

I'd phrase it as "willingness to take a subordinate role" because he can still start and be very subordinate.  If he plays 20 mpg and Jermaine plays 28 mpg, does it really matter that Shaq happens to play the first 5-6 mpg?  

And I don't think that's a problem.  That's essentially what he did in Cleveland.  

The problem is that Shaq needs touches in the post to be effective, and not just 3 or 4 a game, while I think JO can be productive essentially playing the same sort of garbage role on offense that Perk does.  Shaq getting as many touches a possible with the 2nd unit would be a good thing, but I worry that he would disrupt the chemisty of the starters.

Mike

That is true, but considering the starters don't have the same ability to score at will as they once had a true post player who would demand a double team might do them a lot of good. Think of Rondo cutting to the basket and missing a wild layup, which happens way too often, and Shaq grabbing the board and throwing it down. Think of Shaq getting the ball in deep, drawing the double team, and kicking it out to a wide open Ray, PP, or KG for the jumper. None of those 3 want to go to the rim. Perk doesn't require a double team down there so it allows their defenders the ability to stay home.

Shaq isn't the player he once was, but around the rim he still can't be stopped. I'd sure rather he was getting the offensive board than BBD, because the likelihood is that he will be swinging from the rim vs getting his shot thrown back in his face. 

I don't think Shaq commands double teams that much, if at all... Still he would be the best pick up we could get.

[LilRip]

That is true, but considering the starters don't have the same ability to score at will as they once had a true post player who would demand a double team might do them a lot of good.

No-one double-teams Shaq anymore. People play him straight up, and hack him if necessary. He also doesn't have the ability to "score at will" anymore.

not true. last year, teams still doubled Shaq when he had good position. and when they didn't, Shaq still had the ability to make them pay for leaving him on single coverage. he's not as big of a threat anymore (obviously) but he's still a threat.



- LilRip