2 reasons why Shaq is definitely back for the playoffs..

[chambers]

I've read a few posts where people are saying they think Shaq has played his last NBA game and that the current injury is turning into KG's leg of 2009.
Anyway, Two important things to remember when thinking about the Shaq injury:

1) Danny would never have traded Perkins unless he had a 100% guarantee that Shaq would be back and ready to play at 90% his best by the 2nd round of the playoffs- there's simply no way he'd gamble that much. I'd even go as far to say that he wouldn't make the trade unless he knew BOTH O'neals would be back in one way, shape or form

2)Shaq will play the playoffs this year with one leg amputated if he had too. The guy is desperate to win another ring and get back at kobe and this is the last realistic chance he'll get-especially as a starter.
He will play in the playoffs for sure. If his foot his hurting he'll get injections throughout the playoffs and just play through it. Right now he's resting and losing weight to stop it hurting as much as possible come playoff time. He even stated himself that other teams just inject him and send him out- but the Celtics want to keep him fresh and healthy until we really need him.
This time off isn't just about recovering from the foot injury, it's about losing more and more weight so his foot lasts as long as possible.

Please don't worry, the beast will be back and roaring soon.

[Chris]

I don't agree with either of your reasons, but I agree with the premise.

I don't think Danny would (or could) have any guarantee that Shaq would be back for the playoffs at the time of the trade.  But I do think he would have had a good idea that it was likely one of the two Oneals would be back.  But he knows there were no guarantees, and OKC made it worth his while to take that risk with the value they gave up.

As for being desperate to win a championship, I don't really buy it.  I think Shaq loves to win, and I think he would love another championship, but I don't think he is any more driven for that championship than anyone else. 

What makes me confident is that he is a great competitor, who has always understood (perhaps too well), that the playoffs are what matters.  We have seen through his entire career that he does not put much value in the regular season, but rarely misses a playoff game, no matter how hurt he is. 

He also has been pretty consistent, along with Doc and Danny with his statements suggesting he would be playing if it were the playoffs. 

[wdleehi]

1) When a player is as big as Shaq with the number of NBA miles, there is no such thing as a 100% guarantee of returning from injury.

Now I think he will return.




2)  While Shaq may want to play, unless he is healthy enough to help the team, he will not be out there.  

[Roy H.]

I have no doubt that he'll play.  I am a bit concerned regarding how effective he'll be, though.

[Fafnir]

I have no doubt that he'll play.  I am a bit concerned regarding how effective he'll be, though.

I'm hoping for a happy medium between the first month or so of Shaq and the last ten games or so. (foul machine)

[chambers]

I don't agree with either of your reasons, but I agree with the premise.

I don't think Danny would (or could) have any guarantee that Shaq would be back for the playoffs at the time of the trade.  But I do think he would have had a good idea that it was likely one of the two Oneals would be back.  But he knows there were no guarantees, and OKC made it worth his while to take that risk with the value they gave up.

As for being desperate to win a championship, I don't really buy it.  I think Shaq loves to win, and I think he would love another championship, but I don't think he is any more driven for that championship than anyone else. 

What makes me confident is that he is a great competitor, who has always understood (perhaps too well), that the playoffs are what matters.  We have seen through his entire career that he does not put much value in the regular season, but rarely misses a playoff game, no matter how hurt he is. 

He also has been pretty consistent, along with Doc and Danny with his statements suggesting he would be playing if it were the playoffs. 

Sorry but he is desperate for the ring. Why would he turn down millions more on other teams and come to us for nothing?
The reason is a championship. I never said he wants it more than any of the other current celtics, but he wants it more than 99% of NBA players right now.

Shaq had tests and scans on his foot and they knew that if worst came to worst, that if they had to trade perkins that he would load up on cordazone and play as long as he could as hard as he could. I think it played a huge part (my opinion only obviously) in the perkins trade. Danny talked about it after the trade saying he felt shaq deserved to start after his early season efforts. He knew Shaq was returning one way or another.

But i'll say it again- shaq is DESPERATE for another ring.

[vinnie]

I would question that Shaq is DESPERATE for another ring. There is also absolutely no guarantee that Shaq will be back and if he is back whether he will be effective. Danny took a calculated risk with the trade with no guarantees.

[chambers]

I would question that Shaq is DESPERATE for another ring. There is also absolutely no guarantee that Shaq will be back and if he is back whether he will be effective. Danny took a calculated risk with the trade with no guarantees.

okay, again,
why would he come to Boston knowing that Perkins would most likely be the starting center when he could play for a host of other teams for alot more money?

Was Shaq ever looking like not coming back from this current injury? of course not. They knew he'd be back which lightened the gamble of the trade as insurance.

[footey]

I think Shaq is very motivated to make it back, and get a shot at another ring, especially if we face the Lakers.  Very motivated.

[Bankshot]

I think Shaq is very motivated to make it back, and get a shot at another ring, especially if we face the Lakers.  Very motivated.

[RebusRankin]

Don't 85% guys usually play in the play-offs?

[jdub1660]

He'll be back right before the playoffs, maybe for 2 or 3 games, but he will retire this year. I base that off not only the injury issues but the better looking chances of us winning with him in our starting 5.


AND on 2k11, he just announced his retiring at end of season.

[Boris Badenov]

AND on 2k11, he just announced his retiring at end of season.

Haha. Well don't keep us all in the dark - did the C's win it all?

[mgent]

I have no doubt that he'll play.  I am a bit concerned regarding how effective he'll be, though.

I'm hoping for a happy medium between the first month or so of Shaq and the last ten games or so. (foul machine)

Shaq was a complete non-factor in the last games he played.  I don't know if it was health or fatigue, but Shaq turning over the ball/getting fouled on offense and fouling on defense every time up and down the court is not what we need.  We need to use Shaq exactly like we did at the beginning of the year, no post ups, only drop offs under the rim after Rondo/Pierce dribble penetration.  If Rondo is playing lazy and not driving to the hoop Shaq becomes useless.

Also Danny might not have traded Perk unless he was 100% certain Shaq is gonna be healthy come playoff time, but there's no guarantee that he won't get re-injured in the first round.

[Jon]

As others have said, I think it's an exaggeration to say that Danny's 100% sure Shaq will be back.  However, I also agree with many who agree with the OP's general sentiment that Danny must've been very confident that he was going to have one or both of the O'Neals back to make the Perk deal. 

That said, I also want to come back to what I'll call the Myth of KG's Knee.  While it certainly seems like Danny lied about the knee (though I suppose we'll never know if KG would've pulled a Willis Reed had we made the Finals), Danny did it for a competitive reason.  Thinking that KG could be back not only put fear in opponent's minds, but also wasted prep time at opponent's practices.  It also potentially kept the hope alive in the active Celtics, who might've thought that had they eked out a win in Orlando, they might have KG against Cleveland. 

With this situation, it's completely different.  No regular season opponent is fretting about whether Shaq or JO will be back next time they play us.  Furthermore, lying to the Celtics would only hurt the team, as they'd be less likely to worry about size, defensive, and post problems that the current team has, thinking Shaq and/or JO will solve the problem when he/they come back. 

I'm not here to defend Danny's honor or convince you that the Perk deal was the right move, but I am here to tell you that I think the notion that Danny's lying about Shaq and JO is absurd.