Shaq to start at Center as of now

[KobeGotRondoD]

This looks like a terrible decision.

JO can't create his own shot as well as Shaq. JO needs Rondo and the rest of the starters more than Shaq does. 

With Shaq on the 2nd unit, he would be the go-to-guy and Doc would surround him with shooters.  Shaq the go to guy on the 1st unit? That wouldn't make sense, it's almost as if we would have too many options with the starting unit and would need to balance it out by moving Shaq to the bench to provide instant offense when he comes in.

[guava_wrench]

I like Shaq starting so that he can get opposing players in foul trouble early.

I'm really not that worried about who plays when. We have a lot of talent on the bench right now.

[KobeGotRondoD]

http://www.nesn.com/2010/10/shaquille-oneal-jermaine-oneal-in-friendly-competition-for-celtics-starting-center-job.html

Looks like it hasn't been decided yet...

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

I'm just glad Doc says he played well with both teams. That means he's willing to do WHATEVER it takes. If Shaq stays healthy, watch out baby!!!!!

[KobeShesNotConsenting!]

I agree with ya guys it can change but whatevers working, the point you bring up of Jermaine does worry me a little also with Shaq in the middle where is Rondo going to operate?  

First of all, first post, Hi yall. Second, can you explain the reasonin behind sayin that shaq bein inside will somehow hurt rondo's game? I ask because ive seen it a few times on here and dont really understand it. how is havin shaq in the middle any different from havin perk in the middle? both have limited range, and if anyting it should HELP. no more dropped passes and more assists for rondo. That bein said, i was likin the idea of shaq on the bench as our go-to, but not because it would somehow help rondo...

[guava_wrench]

I really am not worried about Shaq's effect on Rondo. You will always get diminishing returns when the roster gets deep. I don't think this will make it harder to win. It will just make it harder for Rondo to make the all star team.

[CavemanDoctor]

Really hope Shaq doesnt start for two reasons:

1) Shaq can create his own offense with the 2nd unit better than JO would be able to.  Not only that but Shaq's presence on the 2nd unit would help the rest of the unit he'd be running with more than JO's presence would with the same unit.  Shaq would be better at hitting the open shooters in Robinson, West, and Davis.

2) We are overstating this whole KG will help Shaq on defense thing.  That sounds great on paper but the reality is, Shaq's mediocre PNR defense will be exposed more against opposing 1st units than it would against opposing 2nd units.  There's no way around it: most 2nd units in the league simply do not run the PNR as effectively as their 1st unit counterparts do.  This is very important.

[Jevi]

I wanted a running starting five, c'mon Doc. I hope this more of a kick in the shorts to Jermaine than anything. I like Shaq, but I figured him & Delonte would continue their chemistry on the 2nd unit. Anyway it's still early, plus whatever works i guess.

[Drucci]

I'm surprised to see that Shaq is playing better than Jermaine so far, and I thought J.O would make more sense as a starter, but if Shas has impressed Doc in training camp, he deserves his starting spot, and Doc knows what he is doing so I have no problem with that, we'll see what happens.

[clover]

It does seem as if Shaq goes better with Garnett and Baby with Jermaine, no?

[Bankshot]

I'm surprised to see that Shaq is playing better than Jermaine so far, and I thought J.O would make more sense as a starter, but if Shas has impressed Doc in training camp, he deserves his starting spot, and Doc knows what he is doing so I have no problem with that, we'll see what happens.

Is he really playing better or does he just fit with the starters better?  There was a thread a while ago about which O'neal should start and I though then that Shaq was a better fit with the starters.  He's more like Perk than Jermaine. just think of all the passes that Perk messes up that will actually be points with Shaq.

[MG1]

Is he really playing better or does he just fit with the starters better?  There was a thread a while ago about which O'neal should start and I though then that Shaq was a better fit with the starters.  He's more like Perk than Jermaine. just think of all the passes that Perk messes up that will actually be points with Shaq.

I think Shaq is playing better than JO and fits better with the starters better. Shaq is overall better player than JO when he is not tried out, and the real concern is how long he can sustain his play.

And I also think Shaq fits better with the 2nd unit than JO as he can be the leader and focal point of the 2nd unit. So I am conflicted. Anyway, I believe in Doc's decision.

[drza44]

This really isn't a surprise to me.  I've been on the stump for a long time now that people are really underrating what we have now in KG and Shaq, even at this stage in their careers.  My only question was whether Doc and crew would be willing to let Shaq start (i.e. maybe they had promised the job to J.O. to get him to sign or something).  But if Shaq starts, it just goes more into what I've been feeling for awhile...this Celtics squad is going to come out of the gates like a monster, and we'll be looking at a sea-change in the way that the national media perceives and portrays them (i.e. from 'old' to 'dominant').

[bucknersrevenge]

I like Shaq starting so that he can get opposing players in foul trouble early.

I'm really not that worried about who plays when. We have a lot of talent on the bench right now.

Great thread and lots of good points made here but if this does come to pass don't overlook this thought as being a main contributor when talking about fit. In one of Doc interviews during camp he spoke specifically about how Shaq's presence can help get the opponent in the penalty early. There are some good free throw shooters on this team and a number of guys capable of drawing fouls so that could make a huge difference. If that is compounded by the thought that the starters can mask Shaq's defensive deficiencies maybe a little better than the BBM than maybe it makes even more sense.

As for JO on the second unit I think he fits in seamlessly with a group that is gonna be able to run a ton. While they may have no major interior post advantage like they would if Shaq was coming off the bench JO isn't a slouch in the post. The guy has moves in the post. And he's got a solid mid-range jumpshot so he and Baby pretty seamlessly slip into either end of a pick n roll or pick n pop situation.

I don't think this has been decided but it will be interesting to see how this develops.

[KobeGotRondoD]

I agree with ya guys it can change but whatevers working, the point you bring up of Jermaine does worry me a little also with Shaq in the middle where is Rondo going to operate?  

First of all, first post, Hi yall. Second, can you explain the reasonin behind sayin that shaq bein inside will somehow hurt rondo's game? I ask because ive seen it a few times on here and dont really understand it. how is havin shaq in the middle any different from havin perk in the middle? both have limited range, and if anyting it should HELP. no more dropped passes and more assists for rondo. That bein said, i was likin the idea of shaq on the bench as our go-to, but not because it would somehow help rondo...

I'm a little surprised no one mentioned the pick and roll issue with shaq.  he's not athletic, fit, or agile enough to replace perk. JO is a much younger, more athletic, and defensive minded player who will help rondo because of this athleticism. shaq is slow which will hurt rondo's game because he likes to run more and more now. our transition defense/game is what allows us to score a lot of points...(this is was kind of lacking last  yr which we could see at the offensive end of the floor a lot)  the game would slow down with shaq as a starter. definite no