I think we're on a collision course with Shaq

[Evantime34]

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

We're spoiled by Perk because we really don't have to double any centers in the league. When Shaq played against other teams they doubled him.

[RIPRED]

Lots of drama for one locker room (or one lineup). Nate, Von W, BBD and Shaq !?

I'm not sure that Nate brings much "drama" into the equation. Seem like he fit very well with this team, and even Doc gave him credit for figuring out what it took to earn his minutes back.

[EJPLAYA]

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.

That is true when he is 10-12 feet from the basket, but not farther down low. Shaq doesn't have outside touch anymore, but if he is within 5-7 feet of the rim teams will double or foul. It would be nice with the free throw prowess of Ray, PP, and even KG to have some more free throws a little earlier in the penalty than we have had. Even if he misses half his free throws (which Perk isn't much better at either) he gets teams in the penalty. He also finishes hard at the rim which we don't do. Perk and BBD are not hard finishers. Neither is Jermaine. As long as he is willing to accept his role the guy is going to help.

[Jon]

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.

However, he can probably dominate backup centers and if he were given the looks that Kendrick got last year, he can score at will from 1 foot away. 

[Tai]

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.

You're comparing the Celtics to other teams. Other teams might try to single coverage them, but unless they have Kendrick Perkins clones, chances are that isn't a good idea.

[youcanthandlethetruth113]

Bring me Shaq in Green NOW DANNY!

IT would be so amazing to have Shaq on the C's and IMHO he would all but guarantee another banner.

[MBunge]

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.

While Shaq has clearly fallen far from his peak, I don't know why it's necessary to keep making this point.

Last regular season, Shaq scored 12 points a game on 8.7 shots and 4.2 free throw attempts.  Sheed scored 9 points in 8.2 shots and 1.5 free throw attempts.  Perk scored 10.1 points in 6.4 shots and 3.5 free throw attempts.  So, Shaq last year was clearly more productive than Sheed because he drew fouls and got to the line.  BUT Shaq was clearly less efficient than Perk, which shouldn't be surprising because Shaq gets most of his own points while Perk scores a lot of layups set up by other players.

In the playoffs, however, Shaq scored 11.5 points in 8.4 shots and 4.2 free throw attempts.  Sheed scored 6.1 points on 5.2 shots and 1.2 free throw attempts.  Perk scored 5.7 points on 4.1 shots and 2.3 fre throw attempts.  While both Sheed and Perk's production and offensive efficiency dramatically declined in the playoffs, Shaq remained largely the same in both areas.

Shaq is a more effective and reliable scorer than either Perk or Sheed.

Mike

[Mr October]

The more I think about it, the more I want Shaq on this team. I am worried that Perkins will not make a 100% recovery by next spring.

If Perk is playing at only 80-90%, he might be only good for back up minutes anyway.

However going above the MLE doesn't make sense - especially since that'll send the wrong message to Perkins on what his value should be.

[nickagneta]

As I have said before, Shaq on a minimum contract is a good thing but signing and trading for him on a three year contract(yes, I know only the first has to be guaranteed) is foolhardy in my opinion.

Rasheed's contract is more valuable than to get just Shaq. Also, if he isn't a good fit chemistry wise, you don't want to be paying him multiple millions of dollars to sit at the end of the bench and gripe or have to eat because you have to cut him.

Honestly, I think once Charlotte doesn't pick up the option on Erick Dampier's contract, that trying to pick him up would be a great move.

[EJPLAYA]

As I have said before, Shaq on a minimum contract is a good thing but signing and trading for him on a three year contract(yes, I know only the first has to be guaranteed) is foolhardy in my opinion.

Rasheed's contract is more valuable than to get just Shaq. Also, if he isn't a good fit chemistry wise, you don't want to be paying him multiple millions of dollars to sit at the end of the bench and gripe or have to eat because you have to cut him.

Honestly, I think once Charlotte doesn't pick up the option on Erick Dampier's contract, that trying to pick him up would be a great move.

100% agree nick. If he wants to sign for the vet minimum to chase more rings then fine. No way I go past a year and team option on the second in a sign and trade scenario with another Cleveland player.  That would be suicide for us because in a couple years he will have dropped off that much more. I would take him at 2 yrs and Varejao for Sheed's contract though.

[MBunge]

As I have said before, Shaq on a minimum contract is a good thing but signing and trading for him on a three year contract(yes, I know only the first has to be guaranteed) is foolhardy in my opinion.

Rasheed's contract is more valuable than to get just Shaq. Also, if he isn't a good fit chemistry wise, you don't want to be paying him multiple millions of dollars to sit at the end of the bench and gripe or have to eat because you have to cut him.

Honestly, I think once Charlotte doesn't pick up the option on Erick Dampier's contract, that trying to pick him up would be a great move.

Dampier wouldn't be terrible, but he ain't coming for vet min money and I'm not sure it's that great a move to use Sheed's deal to bring in a center that's about as good a rebounder as Perk, but is a worse defender and is a significantly worse scorer.

Dampier averaged a whopping 1 point and 0% from the field in over 23 minutes a game for Dallas this past playoffs.  Over 23 minutes a game.  1 point.  A field goal percentage of 0.

Mike

[Who]

As I have said before, Shaq on a minimum contract is a good thing but signing and trading for him on a three year contract(yes, I know only the first has to be guaranteed) is foolhardy in my opinion.

Rasheed's contract is more valuable than to get just Shaq. Also, if he isn't a good fit chemistry wise, you don't want to be paying him multiple millions of dollars to sit at the end of the bench and gripe or have to eat because you have to cut him.

Honestly, I think once Charlotte doesn't pick up the option on Erick Dampier's contract, that trying to pick him up would be a great move.

Dampier wouldn't be terrible, but he ain't coming for vet min money and I'm not sure it's that great a move to use Sheed's deal to bring in a center that's about as good a rebounder as Perk, but is a worse defender and is a significantly worse scorer.

Dampier averaged a whopping 1 point and 0% from the field in over 23 minutes a game for Dallas this past playoffs.  Over 23 minutes a game.  1 point.  A field goal percentage of 0.

Mike

What options will Dampier have once he is bought out?

What teams? How much playing time will they be offering? And, what type of contracts will they be offering?

[Fafnir]

As I have said before, Shaq on a minimum contract is a good thing but signing and trading for him on a three year contract(yes, I know only the first has to be guaranteed) is foolhardy in my opinion.

Rasheed's contract is more valuable than to get just Shaq. Also, if he isn't a good fit chemistry wise, you don't want to be paying him multiple millions of dollars to sit at the end of the bench and gripe or have to eat because you have to cut him.

Honestly, I think once Charlotte doesn't pick up the option on Erick Dampier's contract, that trying to pick him up would be a great move.

Dampier wouldn't be terrible, but he ain't coming for vet min money and I'm not sure it's that great a move to use Sheed's deal to bring in a center that's about as good a rebounder as Perk, but is a worse defender and is a significantly worse scorer.

Dampier averaged a whopping 1 point and 0% from the field in over 23 minutes a game for Dallas this past playoffs.  Over 23 minutes a game.  1 point.  A field goal percentage of 0.

Mike

What options will Dampier have once he is bought out?

What teams? How much playing time will they be offering? And, what type of contracts will they be offering?

I'd also welcome Dampier as a veteran's minimum pick up.

[Who]

As I have said before, Shaq on a minimum contract is a good thing but signing and trading for him on a three year contract(yes, I know only the first has to be guaranteed) is foolhardy in my opinion.

Rasheed's contract is more valuable than to get just Shaq. Also, if he isn't a good fit chemistry wise, you don't want to be paying him multiple millions of dollars to sit at the end of the bench and gripe or have to eat because you have to cut him.

Honestly, I think once Charlotte doesn't pick up the option on Erick Dampier's contract, that trying to pick him up would be a great move.

Dampier wouldn't be terrible, but he ain't coming for vet min money and I'm not sure it's that great a move to use Sheed's deal to bring in a center that's about as good a rebounder as Perk, but is a worse defender and is a significantly worse scorer.

Dampier averaged a whopping 1 point and 0% from the field in over 23 minutes a game for Dallas this past playoffs.  Over 23 minutes a game.  1 point.  A field goal percentage of 0.

Mike

What options will Dampier have once he is bought out?

What teams? How much playing time will they be offering? And, what type of contracts will they be offering?

East

Atlanta -- maybe they'd offer a portion of their MLE but they are right beside the luxury tax threshold so it's unclear whether they'd surpass that for a role player like Dampier. The offer would be as backup center to Al Horford and anywhere from 10-20 minutes a night. I'm thinking Atlanta is more likely to run with Zaza Pachulia than to exceed the luxury tax for Damp though.

Boston -- veteran minimum + 20 minutes a night until Perk comes back then the fourth big role swapping and changing with BBD depending on matchups.

Charlotte -- Fairly desperate for a center, I could see the Bobcats ponying up $3 million and giving him a fair shot at a starting job (competing with Nazr)

Chicago -- Backup center. 10-15 minutes a night. The Bulls still have some cap space leftover ($5-8 million) so they could make a good contract offer.

Miami -- The Heat could pursue Dampier. They'd only have a minimum contract offer but they could offer good minutes and potentially a starting role. Also a great shot at a title.

Orlando -- would need to move Gortat

Milwaukee -- doubt it, probably want to play L.Sanders as their backup center to Bogut. Possibly though. Only have the LLE or minimum contract to offer.

West

Dallas -- Nah, not with Tyson + Haywood. Would need to trade Tyson to convince Dampier to join.

Denver -- Desperately want another big man but only have their LLE or minimum contracts to offer.

Houston -- Nope, Yao + B.Miller. No playing time.

LA Lakers -- Fourth big but not enough minutes available to be a serious contender for his signature.

Memphis -- Gasol + Thabeet, no minutes.

Oklahoma -- likely satisfied with their Green/Ibaka and Aldrich/Krstic/Collison ... but they could offer an interesting situation (money/role/minutes) if they so wished.

Phoenix -- don't see them being interested in a plodder like Dampier

Portland -- no minutes

San Antonio -- Yeah, Damp would be a solid fit in San Antonio. They still have part of their MLE left too ($1.5 to $2 million I think). A nice trio of big men of Duncan, Splitter and Dampier. Then Blair and McDyess as supporting acts and Bonner as a deep reserve.

Utah -- still desperate for size and interior defense. Dampier would be a good addition for the Jazz. Luxury tax issues + the Raja Bell contract will limit their contract offer ($2-3 million). It's unclear whether Utah would want him as a starting C (Memo Okur?) or a backup C so the quality of their role could vary.

Summary

I think Charlotte and Chicago are Dampier's best chances at a good contract.

Outside of them, I think Miami + possibly Utah, Denver and San Antonio can make enticing offers. Along with Boston.

[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.

While Shaq has clearly fallen far from his peak, I don't know why it's necessary to keep making this point.

Last regular season, Shaq scored 12 points a game on 8.7 shots and 4.2 free throw attempts.  Sheed scored 9 points in 8.2 shots and 1.5 free throw attempts.  Perk scored 10.1 points in 6.4 shots and 3.5 free throw attempts.  So, Shaq last year was clearly more productive than Sheed because he drew fouls and got to the line.  BUT Shaq was clearly less efficient than Perk, which shouldn't be surprising because Shaq gets most of his own points while Perk scores a lot of layups set up by other players.

In the playoffs, however, Shaq scored 11.5 points in 8.4 shots and 4.2 free throw attempts.  Sheed scored 6.1 points on 5.2 shots and 1.2 free throw attempts.  Perk scored 5.7 points on 4.1 shots and 2.3 fre throw attempts.  While both Sheed and Perk's production and offensive efficiency dramatically declined in the playoffs, Shaq remained largely the same in both areas.

Shaq is a more effective and reliable scorer than either Perk or Sheed.

Mike

Hello Mike. Thanks for reminding us Shaq's stats, there might have been full 24 hours since you've done it last.

To answer your concern, I will quote what Doc (or maybe it was Ainge) had to say about double-teaming, "It's a double-team league. Once you have to start double-teaming, you've lost the game".

So yeah, that's why it is important to realize that once Shaq has deteriorated to a level to which he can no longer credibly command double teams, he'll sharply deteriorate to being a rather "ordinary" offensive player. And being being ordinary, this just doesn't sit well with the fact that he's 400 lbs and 5 seasons removed from being any sort of difference-maker on defense.

And while you can get 12 ppg by any player in the NBA by feeding him the ball often enough, that's just not the best plan to win games. It is definitely not the best plan when it comes to Shaq at this stage of this career, even if you're only doing it for 20 minutes a game. That's it.