Ainge - Shaq better now than in the fall...

[ScoobyDoo]

From Shaughnessey's interview -

Me: "I hate this deal. Tell me why I'm wrong. You were positioned to win the championship and now you're not as strong."

Ainge: "I think we're stronger. I think our offense and our defense will be every bit as good, if not better as long as we get some bodies healthy."

Me: You're banking on Shaq being Shaq in the springtime (O'Neal has not played in a game since Feb. 1).

Ainge: "He's better than he was in the fall."

I think the Celts are purposely keeping Shaq out and getting him in what we will see to be the best shape he's been in in years.

Not saying he can't get injured again, but I'm confident he'll be ready a for a good playoff run. I also feel that J. O'Neal will be in "realtively" good health as well.

I'm an optimist. I'm just telling myself "patience grasshopper", wating with great excitement for when:

DWest, Shaq, J. O'neal and Big Baby are back and healthy, along with everyone else.

We will be scary deep and scary good. 

[cman88]

I know alot of people are skeptical to believe the celtics that shaq will be ready...but I think alot of these injuries are flukes to just let him rest...I mean sit him out indefinitely because his "foot" is sore? if it was tyhe playoffs I bet he would be playing...same with Delonte west

they know hes important to their playoff run, and theyre getting good minutes out or kristic and still winning, so why not let him rest..

[get_banners]

we've heard several whispers from people that shaq is in great shape right now. my guess is they're letting him get himself into playoff shape - if his hip/foot were still badly injured, could he work out to the point that it's noticeable to everyone that he's in great shape?

[soap07]

Judging by Shaq's history of conditioning, color me skeptical. Would love to be surprised but....

[Drucci]

Shaq just said himself today that he is about 85% right now, should come back in a week and acknowledged that Doc and the Big 3 (surprising?) told him to rest now so he can be fresh in the playoffs. He also said he would play right now if this was the playoffs.

[jdub1660]

I think they're not only resting him, but forcing the new pieces to play more minutes and work hard so if they are called upon come playoff time, the chemistry will be there and the kinks will be gone. Great move by mgmt.

And I fully expect Bradley to get benched or sent to DL so Arroyo will have to play 15-20mpg for 3-4 games to learn our offense faster.

[bballdog384]

Shaq just said himself today that he is about 85% right now, should come back in a week and acknowledged that Doc and the Big 3 (surprising?) told him to rest now so he can be fresh in the playoffs. He also said he would play right now if this was the playoffs.

Do you have a link?

[mgent]

That statement utterly confused me.  He was on fire in the fall and hasn't been able to find the court for a while now.

[35Lewis]

It doss seem a bit odd to say that a guy who is not on the court is better than he was when he was playing great basketball for a minimum contract player.

When my company didn't give me a raise I negotiated a couple of work from home days each week...maybe this is Shaq's way of being compensated fairly. 

[Chris]

That statement utterly confused me.  He was on fire in the fall and hasn't been able to find the court for a while now.

It tells me something pretty clearly.  He is not very injured, and they are just resting him for the stretch run. 

[guava_wrench]

Most players in the NBA play through aches and pains. The Celtics seem to have taken a policy with Shaq that if he aches, just rest is out. Probably a wise move.

If they could cryogenically freeze Shaq until the playoffs, they might do it.

[jdpapa3]

I'm starting to think that every Heat loss = another game added to the Shaq comeback game. Miami's making that turn into a possible April return.

[Greenbean]

Most players in the NBA play through aches and pains. The Celtics seem to have taken a policy with Shaq that if he aches, just rest is out. Probably a wise move.

If they could cryogenically freeze Shaq until the playoffs, they might do it.

 

Hilarious! TP.

You are right. They are pushing this out as long as they can. If they keep winning with this lineup and getting the new guys acclimated, why bring him back? We need him to help us win 16 games starting with the first playoff game. Optimal to me would have back in the lineup until 2 weeks before the playoffs. That is of course unless the Celts start struggling. 2 L's in a row and you get him back in there.


Unless he's really hurt...then were screwed.

[Drucci]

Shaq just said himself today that he is about 85% right now, should come back in a week and acknowledged that Doc and the Big 3 (surprising?) told him to rest now so he can be fresh in the playoffs. He also said he would play right now if this was the playoffs.

Do you have a link?

http://espn.go.com/blog/BostonCeltics/post/_/id/4681422/shaq-says-hes-85-percent-out-another-week

[pearljammer10]

Dont you have to play to be better? I dont get it.