JO Out Again ( Big Man Health) Update: JO Needs Surgery/ Semih injures groin

[BballTim]

I could see Nazr Mohammed, Marcus Camby, and possibly Chris Kaman and Emeka Okafor as possible trade targets

Based on what?

And what do we possibly have to trade for near  all star capable players such as Okafor and Kaman?

We dont even have the players to make  trade for a scrub like Nazr.

Clipper would trade Kaman in just a salary dump at this point. His play has fallen off tremendously.

What? How so? He has only played 10 games this year due to injury, most of those games he was injured while he played... And last year he average 19 and 9... How is is his play have fallen off tremendously?

  I'm pretty sure the Clips have been (unsuccessfully) looking to dump Kaman for a while now.

[Fafnir]

I could see Nazr Mohammed, Marcus Camby, and possibly Chris Kaman and Emeka Okafor as possible trade targets

Based on what?

And what do we possibly have to trade for near  all star capable players such as Okafor and Kaman?

We dont even have the players to make  trade for a scrub like Nazr.

Clipper would trade Kaman in just a salary dump at this point. His play has fallen off tremendously.

What? How so? He has only played 10 games this year due to injury, most of those games he was injured while he played... And last year he average 19 and 9... How is is his play have fallen off tremendously?

Since he signed his big extension his rebounding rate dropped off from above average to slightly below. He's also be injured for the past three years and played pretty poor defense. His offense has also take a step back, though thats probably because he was being asked to do to much.

He got his 19 and 9 by playing 35 minutes a game with a usage of 27. His poor play could all be health related I suppose, but in the end why trade for a guy like him when we're trying to shore up our front court to guard against injuries.

[Celtics18]

Once KG and Perk get healthy, our front court is one of the best in the league regardless of whether or not JO can play significant minutes.  

If those two don't come back healthy (KG, in particular, obviously), our title chances are going to be pretty slim, regardless of whether or not we bring back Rasheed Wallace or are able to miraculously trade J. O'Neal for a warm body.

So, sure, if Danny can work some magical deal that gets rid of JO and frees up a roster spot, I'm all for it, but to start suggesting things like cutting Erden or Harangody to make room for Rasheed, is craziness as far as I'm concerned.

If Jermaine can't contribute anything, and Shaq continues to look way closer to 40 than 30, our front court rotation won't be any better than it was last year during the playoffs.  That won't cut it.

I happen to think that a frontcourt rotation of Perk, KG, Shaq and Baby will cut it in the playoffs. 
 
Shaq's going through a rough stretch, but I think that he and Doc are saving some for the playoffs just like we did with 'Sheed last year.  Perk should be back soon and have more than a month and a half to get into good game shape.  I choose to believe that KG's issues are not serious.  If his injury is more severe than they are telling us, then our chances are pretty much cooked regardless of anything else we do.

Having Erden and Jo as emergency bigs in the playoffs works for me, and still gives us possibly the deepest front court in the league. 

[Sizzlack]

Someone mentioned that they would rather see Semih on the court than JO. First, JO is a far better rebounder and 10 times the defender that Semih is, even plaing on one knee. And, if Semih has to play big minutes or even more than 5 minutes a game in the playoffs, then this team's chances are cooked.

It is unfair to expect Perk to be 100 percent until next season, and Shaq really does look like he is 50-years-old. I can't see how this team makes it to the finals without dealing with the JO situation. Figure out if the guy can play, and if he can't, they may have to cut him, eat his salary, and sign someone else who can play.

Really cause Semih grabbed 9 last night in 33 minutes? That's like JO last 3 games combined...

There's no question JO has a greater ability, and experience. But I'll take Semih's energy right now any day. He plays harder, fights for more, and knows his role well. He's going to bring energy every night, as last night was a testament too, because he knows that's the only way he'll play.

His defense has also looked pretty solid at times, and would be a hell of a lot better if refs would give him half the benefit of the doubt they give most other Centers. He's definitely suffering from some "Rookie calls" this year, no question.

So yes, I stand by what I said, give me 100% of Semih over 50% of JO any day. If JO ever got back to 100% and could bring more energy and hustle every night, different story. But I'm thinking the chances of that happening are about slim to none, and slim is looking less likely with every missed game.

[vinnie]

Someone mentioned that they would rather see Semih on the court than JO. First, JO is a far better rebounder and 10 times the defender that Semih is, even plaing on one knee. And, if Semih has to play big minutes or even more than 5 minutes a game in the playoffs, then this team's chances are cooked.

It is unfair to expect Perk to be 100 percent until next season, and Shaq really does look like he is 50-years-old. I can't see how this team makes it to the finals without dealing with the JO situation. Figure out if the guy can play, and if he can't, they may have to cut him, eat his salary, and sign someone else who can play.

Really cause Semih grabbed 9 last night in 33 minutes? That's like JO last 3 games combined...

There's no question JO has a greater ability, and experience. But I'll take Semih's energy right now any day. He plays harder, fights for more, and knows his role well. He's going to bring energy every night, as last night was a testament too, because he knows that's the only way he'll play.

His defense has also looked pretty solid at times, and would be a hell of a lot better if refs would give him half the benefit of the doubt they give most other Centers. He's definitely suffering from some "Rookie calls" this year, no question.

So yes, I stand by what I said, give me 100% of Semih over 50% of JO any day. If JO ever got back to 100% and could bring more energy and hustle every night, different story. But I'm thinking the chances of that happening are about slim to none, and slim is looking less likely with every missed game.

If Semih has to play key minutes in the playoffs, this team is toast. They played the Sacramento Kings last night, one of the worst teams in basketball.

[2short]

Here's an idea, start Semih with the normal starters and try to give him the lions share of minutes.  Dont' play Jermaine at all (if he could) and give Shaq a day off.  Unless we are playing some dominate center we can get by with Semih & Davis in center spot.  I feel Luke has looked good enough to garner some pf minutes.  Our team is good enough to make up for Semih, if he's healthy enough (and doesn't foul out) it'll give him some confidence and work with starters.  Both Luke and Von have stepped up as of late, more bench guys that can contribute better off we are for end of season.  At this point in the season I don't care about grinding shaq or any other center into the ground.  We need all our bigs for playoffs as healthy as can be.

[blceltsfan]

There may be no choice in the JO situation, as JO on WEEI says Surgery in his future.

http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-in/2170926/j-oneal-dh-surgery-future

[Lucky17]

There may be no choice in the JO situation, as JO on WEEI says Surgery in his future.

http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-in/2170926/j-oneal-dh-surgery-future

Surprised, and more than a little disturbed by this.

We gave full MLE money for this year and next to this guy. Could turn out to be a real waste of money.

[Bankshot]

Hello Sheed!

[PosImpos]

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=6019241


Fannnnnnnnntastic.

JO and Semih out, probably for significant periods of time in both cases (not sure how serious a groin pull is, but sounds painful).

[GreenEnvy]

I haven't read the entire thread, but what is the verdict? Surgery is the next step? Season-ending or just a grim outlook?

It's unfortunate for us and for him, as he looks like he could really help this team.

Perk will give us 80% of what JO could - when healthy - on defense (he can't block shots like JO) and 60% on offense (no range and isn't a very good offensive rebounder).

I wouldn't trust Semih in the playoffs, but I can live with him getting 20 mpg for a month until Perk is back, than getting spot minutes for foul trouble or if Shaq needs time off.

I guess this opens the door for Rasheed, if we can find room. We'd have to cut someone... Is a buyout of JO possible? Or is all this talk entirely too premature?

Bad news overall regardless. Besides the financial ramifications, I really liked what JO brought to the team, even in his limited time/health.

[GreenEnvy]

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=6019241


Fannnnnnnnntastic.

JO and Semih out, probably for significant periods of time in both cases (not sure how serious a groin pull is, but sounds painful).

Ugh, I guess they should have done it at the beginning of the season, but hindsight is always 20/20.

Can in-season surgery not be season-ending? If not, then just do it asap and let the recovery/rehab process begin.... Maybe we can get him back in 3 months. He could use the first round to get comfortable.

And hopefully it's nothing with Erden, as it looks like we will need him until Perk returns.

[JerseyKid.]

Man these big men injuries are just getting brutal, how much more of this can we withstand?

Shaq needs to step up like he was in the first few games, after all he says hes in it to win it ... he needs to start playing like it. We certainly cant be winning a championship with luke/bbd at center. I cant imagine perkins ( even though i severely hope ) being dominate at center especially since he hasn't played in forever.

This is getting scary, and i don't see how it can actually work out?

[vinnie]

I guess it is fair to say that anyone who thinks this team is going to be fully healthy by the playoffs is nuts. If JO has to miss three months, in my opnion he would be useless for the playoffs. What was once incredible depth in the front court is now a mirage. Erden will likely be out for a couple of games with the groin pull and JO is gone for a good period of time. Tomorrow night's game could be ugly with no JO, no Shaq and no Semih. Can't wait 

[hpantazo]

I guess it is fair to say that anyone who thinks this team is going to be fully healthy by the playoffs is nuts. If JO has to miss three months, in my opnion he would be useless for the playoffs. What was once incredible depth in the front court is now a mirage. Erden will likely be out for a couple of games with the groin pull and JO is gone for a good period of time. Tomorrow night's game could be ugly with no JO, no Shaq and no Semih. Can't wait 

can we have Sheed in uniform by tomorrow? Get on it Danny!