Any idea on JO's return? Rough educated guesses?

[chambers]

Anyone know if he is shooting or exercising yet?
I haven't heard any news other than doc and his 'time' explanations.
I can't wait for him to come back and clog up the paint.
I feel we really need him to battle the lakers in the finals. Even vs howard to guard him down low for 10 mins a game would be awesome.
Please someone gimme anything!

[Jon Niednagel]

I'm guessing early April.

[Roy H.]

Late October?  

Seriously, though, I hope he's back soon.  We need to re-integrate him into the rotation.

[Drucci]

No news but if I had to bet I would say he will come back on the 25th of March, at home, against the Bobcats.

[vinnie]

Globe today says Doc has no idea on either O'Neal. Story goes on to say it is likely April for JO, which means little game time for him prior to the playoffs. I honestly do not expect him to offer much if anything given that he will have missed almost the entire season. As for Shaq, Doc is clear that he has no clue when he will be back. Although, since Shaq actually shot around a litle at the Garden yesterday, Doc says that is a good sign. FYI, Shaq has missed 18 games with this current injury.

[pearljammer10]

I have given up the hope of either Oneal rejoining this team. Their names don't even get mentioned anymore. As of now, I just think we are going to have to go to battle without them.

[Chris]

On EEI today, Doc said Shaq might be back in the next week, and JO in a couple weeks.

But really, I would not put any credence to any of this, until we see them on the floor.

Although, one other thing he said did stand out to me.  While he said Shaq is really a wait and see case, because they are waiting until he gets better, he very casually said that JO is just "rehabbing from surgery".  In the context, to me it sounded like he meant that there is nothing abnormal with JO not playing right now, and that he is still perfectly on track. 

I think they were saying around the beginning of April after the surgery, and that still seems to be the case with him. 

[More Banners]

Jeez...as unimpressed as I am with the JO signing, he still could make an impact if he could get 10 solid minutes per game in the playoffs...you know, when all 48 minutes seem to count.

And then retire this summer, please.

[footey]

I think Shaq will be able to contribute the first round of play-offs. Jermaine, at best, by the third round, assuming we make it that far.  Doc has defined his role quite narrowly, play D, block shots and rebound, so not too much catching up to do.  Would bet that Krstic has more play off minutes than Jermaine for sure.

[Chris]

Jeez...as unimpressed as I am with the JO signing, he still could make an impact if he could get 10 solid minutes per game in the playoffs...you know, when all 48 minutes seem to count.

I think he would hugely important against LA if we meet them, and would be a very valuable 6 fouls against Orlando and Miami.  I really hope the reports of the surgery being a success are not overblown, because he would be a major X factor for this team, even if its as another option off the bench when we need some defense and rebounding.

[chambers]

I have given up the hope of either Oneal rejoining this team. Their names don't even get mentioned anymore. As of now, I just think we are going to have to go to battle without them.

I think it's pretty common knowledge that shaq will be startingin the playoffs for us.
The guy has more hunger than pretty much anyone in the NBA to get that ring to get back at kobe.
He would play the playoffs with one leg if he had to- i have no worries that we will see him at at least 85% as they are claiming he is now.
JO is looking likely, but as vinnie pointed out i can't see him getting too much practice/game fitness in before the playoffs if it's a scheduled april return.
I guess they'll bring him back and risk injury even if it's early- just prop him up out there to body up on other big men and try and swat PGs going to the hole like rose and nelson.
fingers crossed

[moiso]

I have given up the hope of either Oneal rejoining this team. Their names don't even get mentioned anymore. As of now, I just think we are going to have to go to battle without them.

I think it's pretty common knowledge that shaq will be startingin the playoffs for us.
The guy has more hunger than pretty much anyone in the NBA to get that ring to get back at kobe.
He would play the playoffs with one leg if he had to- i have no worries that we will see him at at least 85% as they are claiming he is now.
JO is looking likely, but as vinnie pointed out i can't see him getting too much practice/game fitness in before the playoffs if it's a scheduled april return.
I guess they'll bring him back and risk injury even if it's early- just prop him up out there to body up on other big men and try and swat PGs going to the hole like rose and nelson.
fingers crossed

I don't think Shaq has any more hunger to win than anyone else on the team.

[Chris]

I have given up the hope of either Oneal rejoining this team. Their names don't even get mentioned anymore. As of now, I just think we are going to have to go to battle without them.

I think it's pretty common knowledge that shaq will be startingin the playoffs for us.
The guy has more hunger than pretty much anyone in the NBA to get that ring to get back at kobe.
He would play the playoffs with one leg if he had to- i have no worries that we will see him at at least 85% as they are claiming he is now.
JO is looking likely, but as vinnie pointed out i can't see him getting too much practice/game fitness in before the playoffs if it's a scheduled april return.
I guess they'll bring him back and risk injury even if it's early- just prop him up out there to body up on other big men and try and swat PGs going to the hole like rose and nelson.
fingers crossed

I don't think Shaq has any more hunger to win than anyone else on the team.

Other than Baby, there is no one else on the team, and perhaps in the league who can compete with Shaq's hunger.

[moiso]

I have given up the hope of either Oneal rejoining this team. Their names don't even get mentioned anymore. As of now, I just think we are going to have to go to battle without them.

I think it's pretty common knowledge that shaq will be startingin the playoffs for us.
The guy has more hunger than pretty much anyone in the NBA to get that ring to get back at kobe.
He would play the playoffs with one leg if he had to- i have no worries that we will see him at at least 85% as they are claiming he is now.
JO is looking likely, but as vinnie pointed out i can't see him getting too much practice/game fitness in before the playoffs if it's a scheduled april return.
I guess they'll bring him back and risk injury even if it's early- just prop him up out there to body up on other big men and try and swat PGs going to the hole like rose and nelson.
fingers crossed

I don't think Shaq has any more hunger to win than anyone else on the team.

Other than Baby, there is no one else on the team, and perhaps in the league who can compete with Shaq's hunger.

Haha, I was thinking along those lines too.

[hpantazo]

For me, the question is not when does JO come back, it's how many games will he last when he comes back. I would be happy with keeping him out until the end of the regular season to get him a few games before the playoffs but not use up whatever he has left in his knee.