Wojnarowski : Shaq physically ready to play but Doc reluctant to play him

[Drucci]

Interesting tidbit from Wojnarowski's latest article :

For the Celtics, it becomes riskier to insert Shaquille O’Neal(notes) into a series where they’re behind, not ahead. The Boston coaches have concerns with what he can give them, how his sudden re-emergence could affect the bigger picture of the lineup. Physically, O’Neal could play Game 2, sources said, but it’s a question of whether Rivers will allow it. O’Neal lobbied to play Game 1, but to no avail.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Avd08Cj2oUeIfrWqQwJjO5u8vLYF?slug=aw-wojnarowski_heat_bully_celtics_in_game1_050111

Assuming this is true, this is just silly in my opinion. What's the risk of playing Shaq suddenly? We've seen that you can insert him back easily, he doesn't need rythm or whatever to get productive. And I understand he can be bad because of lack of habits with the team's schemes or something but he can't be worse than Davis and certainly can be a lot better, even in limited minutes.

[twinbree]

Yeah this makes no sense to me. What difference does it matter if we're behind or ahead? Besides we're the road team trailing 0-1. What if we go down 0-2? Is he going to wait till 2-2, 3-2 or the ECF? If he is healthy roll and dice and let's see. The bench certainly can't get worse with an O'Neal addition to the lineup and starters probably won't miss a beat if the starting center changes.  

[hpantazo]

He better play Shaq in game 2 if this is true. We need a big presence in the middle, and we need his inside scoring and ability to draw fouls in our 2nd unit. If Doc plays Glen Davis-Jeff Green frontcourt instead of Shaq then he's throwing the series.

[Chris]

This comes across as another Wojo overstatement.  While I think it is true that Doc ruled Shaq out yesterday, even though he could concievably have taken the court, I don't think it was just because he was afraid of how it would effect the rotation or things like that.

From what we know, he may have practiced last Friday, and that's about it.  After what happened last time he came back, I think Doc did the right thing to be a little more cautious with him, and I would have no problem if he waited until game 3 (which gives him nearly an extra week) to get him in there.

I also think that there is a difference from him being physically cleared to play, and being able to go out there and be effective.  I think there is a good chance this played a big role in the decision as well.  For example, if he went out there in practice, and was able to make it through without breaking down, but was completely inneffective, then I think that is a very good reason to wait on it a bit longer. 

[CelticG1]

I would have no problem if he waited until game 3 (which gives him nearly an extra week) to get him in there.

I would much rather him play game 2 if he is able. For obvious reasons just to get him acclimated in the series earlier but also he will get 3 days off inbetween the next game for his body to recover.

At this point we aren't sure how is body is going to recover but I think he would have a better chance of playing consecutive games between games 2 and 3 rather than 3 and 4.

Having the time off between game 2 and 3 would allow the Celtics to evaluate Shaq's recovery rate and would give them hopefully a little more information about what to expect

[greenpride32]

I would take it to mean Shaq is cleared to play but not close to 100%.  So having him on the floor might be more of a liability.  Remember how ineffective he was in the LAL game in LA right around the time they were shutting him down? 
I'm sure there are also concerns about reaggrivating the injury; why even risk that if the guy can't be effective on the floor?

But then again what I said isn't consistent with the playing him a in series we're we are ahead comment.  That seems to indicate it's more of a conditioning and timing issue.  But in the DET game where he briefly returned he didn't seem to miss a beat.

[aporel#18]

Play him in game 3. Start both 1st and 3rd quarters, play 4-5 minutes in each of them. Rest until game 4, and do the same. If everything goes well and there are no setbacks, unleash Shaq in game 5 and see what happens.

There's no way Rondo plays that bad in the rest of the series, and the Captain will beast LeBum and his crew in games 2, 3 and 4. The Celtics are the better team.

Go Celtics!!

[celtics2]

If article is factual Doc made a huge mistake. I don't get this Shaq deal at all. Play him and wreck him if necessary. It's not like it would be career ending because his career has been over for a long time. What are we saving him for? The Losers Parade!

[StartOrien]

I think I have some pretty hard evidence that this article isn't true:

Nenad Krstic: 6 minutes

[WeMadeIt17]

Ive got a feeling Shaq is suiting up tomorrow.

[cman88]

i can believe that shaq is physicaly ready to play, but doc is cautious....but idk about the reasoning given.

it doesnt make sense...we know what shaq will give us. scoring in the post, hard fouls off the bench, grab rebounds..in just 5minutes he scored 6points..right now we're only playing Baby/JO at center we could use Shaq

I also dont get how reacclimating him with us down be harder than if we're up...we're not asking shaaq to do much more than what I listed..plus, theres only 7games. we cant keep waiting to get him back

either way, doc said he might play tomorrow or back in boston. hopefully after the loss, they throw him out there tomorrow for 10minutes, then if he feels well 15minutes on saturday

[aporel#18]

IMO, the Celtics need Shaq to beat the Lakers. They don't need him to beat Miami, so my guess is they're sending a message to the team: beat the Heatles with this current group, Shaq may be walking through that door... or not.

I expect them to play Shaq at home, in limited minutes (8-10 a game), but the Celtics better start playing like Celtics, and win game 2. Shaq is a bonus, and we need to win without him.

Of course, it would be better if Shaq was available and playing since game 1, but that's not the case.

Go Celtics!!

[FatjohnReturns]

IMO, the Celtics need Shaq to beat the Lakers. They don't need him to beat Miami, so my guess is they're sending a message to the team: beat the Heatles with this current group, Shaq may be walking through that door... or not.

I expect them to play Shaq at home, in limited minutes (8-10 a game), but the Celtics better start playing like Celtics, and win game 2. Shaq is a bonus, and we need to win without him.

Of course, it would be better if Shaq was available and playing since game 1, but that's not the case.

Go Celtics!!

Wrong. We need Shaq to beat the Heat. At this point he is either ready or not. He lobbied to play so let him play Doc.

[RedsCeltics34]

If Shaq doesnt play in game 3, somethings up. Game 2 is on Tuesday and then theirs 3 days off until game 3 on Saturday. So, if he doesnt play Saturday then they're holding some news back from us.

[Mr October]

This comes across as another Wojo overstatement.  While I think it is true that Doc ruled Shaq out yesterday, even though he could concievably have taken the court, I don't think it was just because he was afraid of how it would effect the rotation or things like that.

From what we know, he may have practiced last Friday, and that's about it.  After what happened last time he came back, I think Doc did the right thing to be a little more cautious with him, and I would have no problem if he waited until game 3 (which gives him nearly an extra week) to get him in there.

I also think that there is a difference from him being physically cleared to play, and being able to go out there and be effective.  I think there is a good chance this played a big role in the decision as well.  For example, if he went out there in practice, and was able to make it through without breaking down, but was completely inneffective, then I think that is a very good reason to wait on it a bit longer. 

TP. I think you are right on.

Wojo is probably delivering partial information, and the Celtics are probably just being cautious.

If Shaq is fairly ready, it is exciting to think that we may see him in game 2 or 3. We need more beef with length to protect the basket. Davis at center next to Green is a brutal defensive line.