Shaq Update??

[LooseCannon]

Does anyone else think that the biggest concern with Shaq is not truly his health but foul issues.  As his effectiveness waned this season, he was accumulating 5 fouls in like 18 minutes of floor time.

I think the assumption was that a healthy Shaq wasn't going to play more than 20-25mpg anyways, so it was good for him to dish out some hard fouls to make up for someone of his shortcomings on defense.  It would be efficient for him to make sure he uses up all of those fouls in the limited time he is capable of playing.

[toinewalka]

At this stage in his career you can pretty much schedule Shaq's injuries.  He has always been durable, but he is also extremely old to be carrying that much weight around and banging as much as he has to.  I'm sure he's fine and they are just resting him.  He did it for the Heat, did it for the Suns, and now he is doing it with the Celtics.  He will be good to go when they need him in the playoffs (knock on wood that nothing past this happens) but I'm not too worried about this injury. 

[mgent]

Does anyone else think that the biggest concern with Shaq is not truly his health but foul issues.  As his effectiveness waned this season, he was accumulating 5 fouls in like 18 minutes of floor time.  To me, the issue isn't keeping Shaq healthy as I don't think his issues are that severe (he would have been playing all along I think if it were playoffs), but I am concerned he won't be able to stay on the court once healthy due to his propensity to get into foul trouble.

I don't think that's so much a Shaq concern as it is the normal officiating concern.

On the bright side maybe trading Perk has made the refs hate us less?

[footey]

To me, I hope he doesn't get to play yet and waits a while getting healthier. During the meantime, we can increase playing time for the new guys and see who fits and who doesn't.

Agreed. Plus I hope that Shaq gets in great physical shape before returning, and loses a few more pounds in the process. A fan can dream.

[greenpride32]

Just a couple of days ago they said Shaq could have been ready for the Jazz game, but they didn't want to fly him out just for one gamea.  And that he would be ready to join the team in Boston.  I would be surprised to see him play tonight or FRI s GS.

Also Murhphy is eligble to sign today and could play tonight if he is signed.

[vinnie]

I thought the Boston Globe yesterday siad it will likely be one to two more weeks before Shaq returns. Hope they are wrong.

[cman88]

its interesting that the new 1-2week diagnosis comes when the celtics sign another big man in Troy Murphy...

honestly, i think the "resting" of shaq has more to do with just getting him in shape back to the player he was in November/december..

in the meantime, Kristic/Murphy will be fine holding up the C position..kristic has been a pleasant surprise as startinc C..

[Chief]

It's funny how Shaq gets into better shape when he's not playing basketball.

[vinnie]

its interesting that the new 1-2week diagnosis comes when the celtics sign another big man in Troy Murphy...

honestly, i think the "resting" of shaq has more to do with just getting him in shape back to the player he was in November/december..

in the meantime, Kristic/Murphy will be fine holding up the C position..kristic has been a pleasant surprise as startinc C..

You are correct. They should be okay with Krstic/Murphy playing these crap teams. However, they won't beat good teams if that is the rotation at the 5. Little or no defense.

[droponov]

its interesting that the new 1-2week diagnosis comes when the celtics sign another big man in Troy Murphy...

honestly, i think the "resting" of shaq has more to do with just getting him in shape back to the player he was in November/december..

in the meantime, Kristic/Murphy will be fine holding up the C position..kristic has been a pleasant surprise as startinc C..

You are correct. They should be okay with Krstic/Murphy playing these crap teams. However, they won't beat good teams if that is the rotation at the 5. Little or no defense.

Shaq doesn't really change that. He just has different defensive weaknesses.

The other O'Neal, yeah, he'll add valuable defensive contributions.

[bruinsandceltics]

Sherrod said that if it were the playoffs that Shaq would be playing right now.

That is good enough for me.

[LooseCannon]

You are correct. They should be okay with Krstic/Murphy playing these crap teams. However, they won't beat good teams if that is the rotation at the 5. Little or no defense.

I would still expect the Celtics to win a first-round playoff series even if both O'Neals are unable to play.  Beyond that, I think they have the ability to gut out any one series missing Los Dos O'Neals, but I don't think they have enough to sustain that over multiple series.

[Megatron]

The only teams we nee Shaq against are LA and Orlando. No other team has big men we have to worry about. Krstic/Murphy will do just fine holding down the middle against the rest of the teams.

All this hoopla about Miami being able to dominate us if were missing Shaq/Perk is garbage. They are losing to all sorts of teams right now, they have flaws, they lost to the Knicks and the Knicks dont even have a legit Center.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Jackie Mac just mentioned that Shaq looks great and lost weight. Too much of that going around to be all crap.

[droopdog7]

FYI, in an interview on WEEI this morning, Doc mentioned they hoped that Shaq will return next week.