Shaq not expected back this season according to Eagle Tribune

[Drucci]

He's going to play in the playoffs. That is a definite
This is his last opportunity for a ring, and you know he's working hard to come back to play in the later rounds

And btw, he was bought in as a back-up to Jermaine O'neal on a veteran's minimum. The title does not hinge on his return

With that said, theres no way he's sitting out this playoffs

Wait a minute. Shaq was brought in to backup Jermaine O'Neal? I don't remember it as that way. And now the title does not hinge on his return, despite what Danny and many others have said about how important Shaq is to this team. I love revisionist history.

This is not revisionist history, JO was supposed to be the starter before the season started. Then he got injured, Shaq played as the starter and from then on Danny was eager to see Shaq come back as a starter (from reading his quotes) but the initial plan was for Shaq to be the backup so this is no revisionist history.

[heyvik]

Just bc it comes from a smaller paper doesn't mean it isn't right. I do think he is done personally and hope they can survive without him. But they have to get something out of krstic.

I think this is the right mindset, and I personally believe this has been the mindset of the C's.  Much like when KG went down a couple years ago, I think there is always a little hope he will be back, but until he is on the floor, they can't count on him.

As for Krstic, I think he will be useful in later series.  This series is just not a good matchup for him, particularly with the defensive system they ran last night.

Chris, if he's not valuable in THIS series, how will he be valuable in other series? and BTW, which ones are we talking about here -vs. Miami, vs. Chicago or vs. San Antonio/LA?
If he can't contribute in THIS series, how can we expect him to contribute vs other teams with less room for error?

[vinnie]

He's going to play in the playoffs. That is a definite
This is his last opportunity for a ring, and you know he's working hard to come back to play in the later rounds

And btw, he was bought in as a back-up to Jermaine O'neal on a veteran's minimum. The title does not hinge on his return

With that said, theres no way he's sitting out this playoffs

Wait a minute. Shaq was brought in to backup Jermaine O'Neal? I don't remember it as that way. And now the title does not hinge on his return, despite what Danny and many others have said about how important Shaq is to this team. I love revisionist history.

This is not revisionist history, JO was supposed to be the starter before the season started. Then he got injured, Shaq played as the starter and from then on Danny was eager to see Shaq come back as a starter (from reading his quotes) but the initial plan was for Shaq to be the backup so this is no revisionist history.

You may be correct. I also know, however, that this team was 27-9 in games that Shaq started and that it is clear that Shaq was an important cog in this team making it to the finals and winning the championship. A JO/Krstic duo is not going to cut it.

[the_Bird]

This is not revisionist history, JO was supposed to be the starter before the season started. Then he got injured, Shaq played as the starter and from then on Danny was eager to see Shaq come back as a starter (from reading his quotes) but the initial plan was for Shaq to be the backup so this is no revisionist history.

Sure, until Perk recovered.  The plan was for JO to start and Shaq to back him up until ~February, when Perk was expected to return.  Perk was expected to regain the starting spot, and JO and Sha

[BudweiserCeltic]

Dang it.  I was holding out hope that he'd be back, and I'll keep holding out hope until he's officially shut down.

I'm very, very disappointed by this news, though.

Other than it's not news? I mean, they're not telling us anything that we already didn't know. So why suddenly acknowledge their conclusions as truth just because it gets printed on a paper?

I agree with you, the fact that is coming out of a small newspaper, out of nowhere, and that it doesn't really tell us anything new except what the source is saying, it may be untrue. Still, it sounds more likely that such a scenario could happen but I'm definitely waiting on official word or to hear what's up from Sherrod & cie.

Official word on what exactly? That they're moving on as if Shaq is not returning? That much is true, we already know that. If Shaq comes back he comes back, he's day to day as far as we know, and everybody knows, but the Celtics decided and it was reported somewhere or mentioned in a telecast that they're moving on with what they have and not worried about Shaq returning or not because it serves no purpose to their concentration.

I just haven't seen anything being reported that is new that needs any official validation. What they're reporting is apparent to me that is just one man's conclusion of the situation.

But we'll see.

I still have hope on Shaq returning, from what I have seen I don't see why he wouldn't be able to return unless we have misinformation of the injury. But it may very well possible that he ends up not healing and not returning, who knows. We're at the same place we were back Saturday when news hit that he wasn't playing on Game 1.

[the_Bird]

This is not revisionist history, JO was supposed to be the starter before the season started. Then he got injured, Shaq played as the starter and from then on Danny was eager to see Shaq come back as a starter (from reading his quotes) but the initial plan was for Shaq to be the backup so this is no revisionist history.

Sure, until Perk recovered.  The plan was for JO to start and Shaq to back him up until ~February, when Perk was expected to return.  Perk was expected to regain the starting spot, and JO and Shaq would be backing HIM up (with a lot of us expecting that only one of the Brothers O'Neal would be healthy come the playoffs).

So, technically what you say is right...  but only through ~ the All Star break. 

[Chris]

Just bc it comes from a smaller paper doesn't mean it isn't right. I do think he is done personally and hope they can survive without him. But they have to get something out of krstic.

I think this is the right mindset, and I personally believe this has been the mindset of the C's.  Much like when KG went down a couple years ago, I think there is always a little hope he will be back, but until he is on the floor, they can't count on him.

As for Krstic, I think he will be useful in later series.  This series is just not a good matchup for him, particularly with the defensive system they ran last night.

Chris, if he's not valuable in THIS series, how will he be valuable in other series? and BTW, which ones are we talking about here -vs. Miami, vs. Chicago or vs. San Antonio/LA?
If he can't contribute in THIS series, how can we expect him to contribute vs other teams with less room for error?

He's not valuable in this series, because off the bench the Knicks play a SF at both center and PF.  So, unless you are just going to force the ball into him in the post (and he is not good enough to break the offense for that), he is pretty much useless.

However, Miami, Chicago, San Antonio, and LE all play (at least at times) more traditional lineups, where another 7 footer who can play in the halfcourt set, and play at least passable defense against other big men will be immensely valuable off the bench.  

While Krstic is not good enough to force the mismatches against guys he simply can't run the floor with, he is good enough to hold down the fort against second unit big men in a more traditional basketball game.  

[BudweiserCeltic]

Just bc it comes from a smaller paper doesn't mean it isn't right. I do think he is done personally and hope they can survive without him. But they have to get something out of krstic.

I think this is the right mindset, and I personally believe this has been the mindset of the C's.  Much like when KG went down a couple years ago, I think there is always a little hope he will be back, but until he is on the floor, they can't count on him.

As for Krstic, I think he will be useful in later series.  This series is just not a good matchup for him, particularly with the defensive system they ran last night.

Chris, if he's not valuable in THIS series, how will he be valuable in other series? and BTW, which ones are we talking about here -vs. Miami, vs. Chicago or vs. San Antonio/LA?
If he can't contribute in THIS series, how can we expect him to contribute vs other teams with less room for error?

He's not valuable in this series, because off the bench the Knicks play a SF at both center and PF.  So, unless you are just going to force the ball into him in the post (and he is not good enough to break the offense for that), he is pretty much useless.

However, Miami, Chicago, San Antonio, and LE all play (at least at times) more traditional lineups, where another 7 footer who can play in the halfcourt set, and play at least passable defense against other big men will be immensely valuable off the bench. 

While Krstic is not good enough to force the mismatches against guys he simply can't run the floor with, he is good enough to hold down the fort against second unit big men in a more traditional basketball game. 

I actually like Krstic against this smaller Knicks unit. I'm just not sure of how well he's capable of playing at the moment, I'd need to see him a bit more particularly with a competent unit in there.

If anything, I don't see why Doc wouldn't use Murphy a bit if he intends on not playing Krstic. Particularly since the Knicks are packing the middle.

[Drucci]

He's going to play in the playoffs. That is a definite
This is his last opportunity for a ring, and you know he's working hard to come back to play in the later rounds

And btw, he was bought in as a back-up to Jermaine O'neal on a veteran's minimum. The title does not hinge on his return

With that said, theres no way he's sitting out this playoffs

Wait a minute. Shaq was brought in to backup Jermaine O'Neal? I don't remember it as that way. And now the title does not hinge on his return, despite what Danny and many others have said about how important Shaq is to this team. I love revisionist history.

This is not revisionist history, JO was supposed to be the starter before the season started. Then he got injured, Shaq played as the starter and from then on Danny was eager to see Shaq come back as a starter (from reading his quotes) but the initial plan was for Shaq to be the backup so this is no revisionist history.

You may be correct. I also know, however, that this team was 27-9 in games that Shaq started and that it is clear that Shaq was an important cog in this team making it to the finals and winning the championship. A JO/Krstic duo is not going to cut it.

Oh, no doubt that Shaq is very important and Danny admitted himself that he planned on him coming back since he repeated "We were [this great record] with Shaq starting, our starters have played tremendously with Shaq", etc.

If he can't come back it's definitely a big blow. I'm not trusting Krstic but I'm not ready to give up either, I think the team can win the title with JO as the only true center. It will be really harder and very tough but it's definitely possible without Shaq.

[Chris]

Just bc it comes from a smaller paper doesn't mean it isn't right. I do think he is done personally and hope they can survive without him. But they have to get something out of krstic.

I think this is the right mindset, and I personally believe this has been the mindset of the C's.  Much like when KG went down a couple years ago, I think there is always a little hope he will be back, but until he is on the floor, they can't count on him.

As for Krstic, I think he will be useful in later series.  This series is just not a good matchup for him, particularly with the defensive system they ran last night.

Chris, if he's not valuable in THIS series, how will he be valuable in other series? and BTW, which ones are we talking about here -vs. Miami, vs. Chicago or vs. San Antonio/LA?
If he can't contribute in THIS series, how can we expect him to contribute vs other teams with less room for error?

He's not valuable in this series, because off the bench the Knicks play a SF at both center and PF.  So, unless you are just going to force the ball into him in the post (and he is not good enough to break the offense for that), he is pretty much useless.

However, Miami, Chicago, San Antonio, and LE all play (at least at times) more traditional lineups, where another 7 footer who can play in the halfcourt set, and play at least passable defense against other big men will be immensely valuable off the bench. 

While Krstic is not good enough to force the mismatches against guys he simply can't run the floor with, he is good enough to hold down the fort against second unit big men in a more traditional basketball game. 

I actually like Krstic against this smaller Knicks unit. I'm just not sure of how well he's capable of playing at the moment, I'd need to see him a bit more particularly with a competent unit in there.

If anything, I don't see why Doc wouldn't use Murphy a bit if he intends on not playing Krstic. Particularly since the Knicks are packing the middle.

I am sure Doc would love it if he could use Murphy, but unfortunately he has been horrendous every time he has stepped on the floor.  If he couldn't look servicable in those last 2 games of the season, there just is no way Doc can throw him out there right now. 

[BudweiserCeltic]

Just bc it comes from a smaller paper doesn't mean it isn't right. I do think he is done personally and hope they can survive without him. But they have to get something out of krstic.

I think this is the right mindset, and I personally believe this has been the mindset of the C's.  Much like when KG went down a couple years ago, I think there is always a little hope he will be back, but until he is on the floor, they can't count on him.

As for Krstic, I think he will be useful in later series.  This series is just not a good matchup for him, particularly with the defensive system they ran last night.

Chris, if he's not valuable in THIS series, how will he be valuable in other series? and BTW, which ones are we talking about here -vs. Miami, vs. Chicago or vs. San Antonio/LA?
If he can't contribute in THIS series, how can we expect him to contribute vs other teams with less room for error?

He's not valuable in this series, because off the bench the Knicks play a SF at both center and PF.  So, unless you are just going to force the ball into him in the post (and he is not good enough to break the offense for that), he is pretty much useless.

However, Miami, Chicago, San Antonio, and LE all play (at least at times) more traditional lineups, where another 7 footer who can play in the halfcourt set, and play at least passable defense against other big men will be immensely valuable off the bench. 

While Krstic is not good enough to force the mismatches against guys he simply can't run the floor with, he is good enough to hold down the fort against second unit big men in a more traditional basketball game. 

I actually like Krstic against this smaller Knicks unit. I'm just not sure of how well he's capable of playing at the moment, I'd need to see him a bit more particularly with a competent unit in there.

If anything, I don't see why Doc wouldn't use Murphy a bit if he intends on not playing Krstic. Particularly since the Knicks are packing the middle.

I am sure Doc would love it if he could use Murphy, but unfortunately he has been horrendous every time he has stepped on the floor.  If he couldn't look servicable in those last 2 games of the season, there just is no way Doc can throw him out there right now. 

Well he did play quite well in that Knicks game right before the end of the season...

Doc is too scared to take chances. He always goes with who he trusts and there's no going around that until it becomes absolutely necessary. It's his biggest fault.

You have Murphy who can be an asset in this series, put him in there for a few minutes and see how it goes. If he looks like crap, well sit him for the rest of the series. But it serves no purpose throwing out crap units that are obviously going to get outplayed 7 out of 10 times, when you can have what looks like an effective unit just by inserting someone like Murphy. If it works it works and you keep using him, if not then you try something else.

But that unit with Baby at the 5 for example has been shown to be quite bad in this series, and I don't see why we should keep doing it regardless of how we feel about inserting that player who's eating the bench.

[Bankshot]

Kristic??? He needs to step up to help this team. Heat/Bullls are going to be tough to beat.

Maybe he will, but Doc has to give him the chance.

[Chris]

I guess I just disagree about how Murphy played in that last game.  He had 9 points and 4 rebounds in 27 minutes, but it was a game that was played at about 1/2 speed, and he was still not nearly effective.

Basically, he is beyond a shadow of his former self right now.  Defensively he has been terrible, he has done nothing on the boards, and he has not been anywhere near as good as he used to be offensively.  

I just can't see any way Doc could have confidence in putting him out there right now.

[GreenEnvy]

I don't know what to expect from Shaq. Whether this source is legit or not, let's just assume for now that Shaq won't be able to play.

So, it's pretty clear we can beat NY without him (or a bench apparently). We have played mostly awful and still pulled out two wins. Once we get some help from our bench we will win games a little more easily.

Looking ahead, I'd say Miami and Chicago are sage bets to advance. I doubt Orlando does all that much against Chicago but you never know. Then you'd be looking at LA, Dallas, San Antonio or Oklahoma City.

If we could get 30 MPG from Jermaine, I think we can survive the Eastern Conference with about 10 MPG from Krstic/Murphy and Baby/KG for the remaining 8. As for the West, the Finals will start in about six weeks. That's a lot of rest.

Who knows. This uncertainty is annoying though. You'd think all these trainers and doctors would have a timetable in place from the get-go, and adjust accordingly. If he couldn't run last week, they should have an idea how far away he is now. If he is receiving deep-tissue massages and treatment around-the-clock, it really shouldn't take THAT long to reduce the pain enough to play, regardless of his age and size.

It seems like a guessing game by everyone. It's a tough injury to treat, but if he didn't rupture/tear anything, I don't get what is taking so long.

[Prof. Clutch]

...and BOOM goes the dynamite.