Shaq riding the pine in late situations

[greenpride32]

What are all your thoughts on Shaq pretty much being a spectator for the crucial minutes of both the MIA and CLE games?

I know he has said he will do whatever Doc ask him to do.  But saying something is one thing.  Being in the acutal moment where you aren't getting your number called is another.  I wonder if the big fella can truly be happy in this situation.

The obvious con is his poor free throw shooting.  Teams have always employed the Hack-a-Shaq routine.  Is Doc afraid of this?

Baby and KG are not big enough to bang the boards and we become a predominantly perimiter team without Shaq.  So without him, poorer rebounding and a minimal inside game.

I think the pros outweight the cons and would really like to see him in there when the game is on the line.

[D Dub]

Given his age and our teams post-season goals; I'd have to say the cons outweigh the pros anytime you extend Shaq past 20mpg. 

We've gotta conserve the big fella for when it matters: 6 months from now.

[SamuelAdams]

I am sure the free throws are a consideration.

[Who]

Shaq won't be happy about it but he create problems about it.

He might mention it once or twice but he'll be a good soldier about if for the most part.

[GreenEnvy]

I could understand why we didn't go with him in the Miami game - because they went small and had momentum.

But he seemed to be playing well in the opening minutes of the Cleveland game. Nobody on that team can really control him. Late in the game, leave him out there for presence. They can't foul him if he doesn't have the ball.


I think this is a work in progress. Doc should have known what he was getting into when he signed a 38-year-old, 53% career FT shooter.

It's still very early, but Doc has to find a way for Shaq to be effective either with the second unit or to start AND end games with the first unit.

[xmuscularghandix]

With Glen Davis, Boston is able to run plays from last year. Baby also has 3+ years of experience with these defensive schemes. It makes alot of sense to have him out there in crunch time.

[Fafnir]

Shaq won't be happy about it but he create problems about it.

He might mention it once or twice but he'll be a good soldier about if for the most part.

Shaq is too poor a pick and roll defender to get stops in the clutch.

On offense he can be intentionally fouled if he touches the ball so he becomes a liability as well.

[xmuscularghandix]

Once Jermaine gets everything figured out he’ll be in there for the final buzzer.

Then once Kendrick Perkins is 100% he’ll take over that roll.

[mgent]

When was the last time Shaq consistently played in late-game situations.  I remember seeing him sitting on the bench watching LeBron last year.  I'm sure he's used to it by now.

[kozlodoev]

With Glen Davis, Boston is able to run plays from last year. Baby also has 3+ years of experience with these defensive schemes. It makes alot of sense to have him out there in crunch time.

And last, but not least, he's a 70% free-throw shooter.

[kozlodoev]

They can't foul him if he doesn't have the ball.

Yes they can. They can foul him whenever they want.

[Fafnir]

They can't foul him if he doesn't have the ball.

Yes they can. They can foul him whenever they want.

In late game situations if they foul him without the ball its one shot and the ball.

[3ptAndOne]

I would like to see Shaq in the game at the start of the fourth quarter too. The other team isn’t going to intentionally foul him early in the fourth quarter because they will get into the penalty. If the other team is doing a Hack-a-Shaq late in the fourth quarter then take him out if he isn’t making his free throws.

[LooseCannon]

If Kendrick Perkins was healthy, he might be sitting in these same situations.

[Bankshot]

Because Glen Davis can be a beast in the clutch at times.  He almost pulled it off against Cleveland, but no one else stepped up to help.