Shaq is "85 percent"

[Roy H.]

I'm not sure if this was posted yet, but here's the latest update on Shaq:

Speaking at a special birthday celebration at the Boston Children's Museum, Celtics center Shaquille O'Neal deemed himself 85 percent healthy and suggested it will be about another week before he's able to get back on the court.

O'Neal said that his right foot, including an inflamed right Achilles, continues to trouble him, but suggested that if this were the playoffs, he'd play through the pain.

"[The Celtics] want me back at 100 percent," said O'Neal. "I tried to run on it the other day, felt pretty good, but afterwards we kind of took a step back, so hopefully in a few days, in a week or so, I'll be back."

"I have a little Achilles soreness," O'Neal said. “It gets better, comes back, gets better, comes back. But [Celtics team physician] Dr. [Brian] McKeon is doing a great job, [Celtics trainer] Ed Lacerte is doing a great job. I've been working out twice a day, getting a lot of treatment on it. It'll be right."

O’Neal said if this were the playoffs, he’d be back in action already, but noted that Rivers and Boston’s Big Three have all urged him to take his time coming back.

"I would have to probably go through a little bit more old school tactics, but I have to give my credit to Dr. McKeon and Doc Rivers," said O'Neal. "They won't let me shoot. I asked them the other day [if I could shoot]. They said, 'No, it's not right. Let's just get it healthy.' My hat's off to Dr. McKeon and Doc Rivers for doing it the right way.

“But I'm an old school guy. If I can walk, I can play. I asked to shoot many times, but they refused, and the Big Three said they wanted me to be 100 percent healthy. So, I'm getting there. Right now I'm probably about 85 percent."

Link.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Not that in particular, but some twitter updates that came out about 7 hours ago. Been posting it in the Shaq Update thread:
http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=45178.90

[cman88]

so, its what I figured. as the celtics continue to win with Kristic theyll just rest shaq until he's 100% since he factors to be a BIG part in the C's playoff run

[itsthatbradguy]

Not sure what's up with all of the Shaq panic. It's not like we're losing. We're on a 6 game win streak with the new pieces (as opposed to 4-3 with Perkins & Co. off the bench). Our remaining schedule isn't very difficult with only 3 games against elite teams (@ Chicago, @ San Antonio, @ Miami). Why should Shaq be playing against the bottom rung Western Conference teams or the Bucks?

Plus, how many games did people think he was going to be able to play anyway? He's played 36. When we signed him, I predicted he'd play 40-45, 50 tops. He's definitely on course to get that number if he comes back around late March to get geared up for the playoffs.

[jdpapa3]

This resting policy might just help us stay legit contenders for next year as well. Gotta love it.

[Rondo9dunx]

Im hoping this is true but I am actually starting to become very skeptical of this whole situation. Just yesterday he was out indefinitely, now he's 85% and maybe a week out? I don't know, seems like a huge leap to me over the course of one day, but i'm going to just try and remain positive and hope Shaq is healthy for the playoffs.

[mgent]

He could sit in a chair and practice free throws no?

[RAcker]

He could sit in a chair and practice free throws no?

It couldn't hurt.   

I still can't help but take Shaq's self evaluation with a grain of salt.  I'll leave the timeline up to the docs and trainers.

[Change]

Err on the side of caution is smart move. God forbid ShaQ gets injured in meaningless game when he isn't needed, and is ruled out of the playoffs. ShaQ said if it was to him, he can play but the Celtics coaches, medical staff, and the big3 want him back rested and 100% for the playoff run.

[Rondo9dunx]

Err on the side of caution is smart move. God forbid ShaQ gets injured in meaningless game when he isn't needed, and is ruled out of the playoffs. ShaQ said if it was to him, he can play but the Celtics coaches, medical staff, and the big3 want him back rested and 100% for the playoff run.

Yea if there is anyone in this league who doesnt need to play in meaningless games its shaq. He's been playing long enough he's not gonna forget by riding the bench for a few months to get healthy.

I wasnt skeptical until I saw the word 'indefintely' and then saw 85%, back in a week the next day.