Celtics announce Shaq is out for game 1

[Vegas Green]

A little more info and some quotes via ESPN

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=6369204

[Marcus13]

KG 2009 all over again

It's going to be a short playoff stint, folks

[j804]

Ugh. If he can't even practice, he isn't nearly ready for gameplay. Depending on how the first few games go, I'd try to shut him down as long as possible.

Having him makes life A LOT easier, especially against Miami and Chicago. I truly believe we can still beat them without him, but it will be tougher. Fortunately, the Knicks don't have very good centers. Neither does Miami, but one is physical (Anthony) and the other has length and range (Ilgauskas). Noah doesn't scare me, I feel we can get into his head, especially KG.

But if we were to meet LA again, I feel we would be giving up wayyyy to many second chance opportunities like last Finals. What good is holding your opponent to 40% FG when you are giving them 15 extra shots than you? Shaq would undoubtedly be able to prevent them from getting wherever they want in the paint.

JO is going to have to step up, especially these first few games of the playoffs. I believe he is prepared mentally and physically. He was brought in for this ('Sheed v2.0?), and everyone knows this.

JO is not mobile enough at this stage of his career this is awful, not saying Shaq is but just his presence keeps guys from getting to where they want. I could very well see Miami having there way in the paint with him where he is in constant foul trouble.

[vinnie]

My guess is shaq is done for the playoffs

This. The guy still cannot walk without pain and is still being bothered by the achilles. I think he is done.

[vinnie]

Reading this thread is interesting. All of a sudden I am starting to get the impression that having Shaq back might not even matter. That the Celts can win it all with JO and Nenad manning the middle - LOL. Celts in 7 versus Knicks, lose in 6 to the Heat.

[EJPLAYA]

We don’t need Shaq to beat the Knicks necessarily, but we do to beat the Magic, Heat, or Bulls. I don’t necessarily have supreme confidence that we are going to beat the Knicks though. If we play like we have the last month it won’t matter WHO our starting center was. (Perk included)

I’m glad they are sitting Shaq until he is completely ready though. Having him come in, play for a short time, and go back out injured would take the life completely out of this team.

[vinnie]

We don’t need Shaq to beat the Knicks necessarily, but we do to beat the Magic, Heat, or Bulls. I don’t necessarily have supreme confidence that we are going to beat the Knicks though. If we play like we have the last month it won’t matter WHO our starting center was. (Perk included)

I’m glad they are sitting Shaq until he is completely ready though. Having him come in, play for a short time, and go back out injured would take the life completely out of this team.

Unfortunately, sitting Shaq until he is completely healthy might mean he won't play until next year -- unless he retires, that is.

[PseudoElite]

Look at the bright side, he can lead the Boston orchestra again /facepalm.

We're in a lot of trouble, the whole plan was to have Shaq playing during the playoffs. JO and Kristic aren't going to cut it, it's going to mean a lot more pressure and stress on the big 4.

My hope is that we don't lose to the Heat, I can't stand them.

[j804]

Look at the bright side, he can lead the Boston orchestra again /facepalm.

We're in a lot of trouble, the whole plan was to have Shaq playing during the playoffs. JO and Kristic aren't going to cut it, it's going to mean a lot more pressure and stress on the big 4.

My hope is that we don't lose to the Heat, I can't stand them.

If we manage to get past them well probably get punked again in the next round by gulp Thomas, Asik, Gibson, Boozer

[PseudoElite]

Look at the bright side, he can lead the Boston orchestra again /facepalm.

We're in a lot of trouble, the whole plan was to have Shaq playing during the playoffs. JO and Kristic aren't going to cut it, it's going to mean a lot more pressure and stress on the big 4.

My hope is that we don't lose to the Heat, I can't stand them.

If we manage to get past them well probably get punked in the next round by gulp Thomas, Asik, Gibson

Sad. I still can't believe Ainge banked all of our hopes on a 39 year old, wow.

[butterbeanlove]

Quite bracing to log on here and see all of the optimism still, since I was about to wander out into traffic. But then, I live on a cul-de-sac, so I could be there all night.

[RedsCeltics34]

Who didnt see this coming......

[Eja117]

Who didnt see this coming......

Danny Ainge

[GreenFaith1819]

I'm confident that Jermaine O'Neal can hold it down until Shaq gets well.

I feel good with a Big rotation of JO, KG, Glen, Nenad, and Jeff Green in spot minutes at PF.

And if Shaq doesn't get well? The Celtic's Mission remains the same - Banner 18 in June 2011 - and to that measure I feel confident that what we have left can get it done.

Regardless of Shaq and his status - the games must be played. Folks can mail in the season if they want to - that is their right. But for me - Celtics have to be beaten in 7 games.

[GrandTheftRondo]

Who didnt see this coming......

Danny Ainge

I don't know whether to laugh or cry at this.