Shaq had a big impact

[Drucci]

His stats sheet is less than impressive (8 minutes, 2 points, 0 rebounds, 1 assist) but I thought he really had a big and positive impact on the game. He looked way better in the 2nd half than in the first both with his play and physically.

I thought his mere presence on D changed the whole Heat's strategy : we saw Wade get to the paint, face Shaq, dribble around and then get the ball out of the perimeter instead of attacking the rim, fearing to get blocked by Shaq. With Baby or Krstic in his place, Wade definitely would have got to the tim, made the layup and/or got the and one. With Shaq, no way, he was just like a big wall standing and it helped us get stops and thus get easy points in transition. It definitely is a big change from the momentum stoppers plays the Heat had with these kind of individual performances by James and Wade at critical times in games 1 and 2.

Also, on offense, Shaq's mere presence and him in the post helped to free up his teammates, especially Green who used his presence to cut to the basket and get easy buckets or get fouled.

So kudos for Shaq who clearly played hobbled but gave it all and still managed to have a big impact. I hope he can do more of the same in the next games.

[Bankshot]

NOBODY has the presence of Shaq.  Even Perk didn't stop Wade or Lebron from wanting to drive.   

I think just his presence gives the team confidence, especially since he really does make an impact, however small.

I hope he can give the team at least 10-15 minutes a game.  He looked hobbled out there.  Hopefully it's just rust.

[BASS_THUMPER]

him jus being out there fired the c's up..

on the floor together shaq and baby d shut down miami game at times..

[Celtics18]

Yeah, Shaq was BIG.

[billysan]

The great thing for that 8 minutes of Shaq, was that everyone on the Heat has hesitant to bring the ball into the paint. Shaq is still a force, an intimidator. He is actually in a great place strategically because he has nothing to lose with regard to a couple of hard fouls. When the other team sees this they will hesitate, and with good reason.

I just wasnt that impressed with Baby, he still got stuffed a couple times down low when he tried to shoot. Rebounding and Box out is where he is the biggest defensive asset. Offensively he just doesnt get it done in the post with no vertical or post moves.

Shaq, Baby and even Krstic will be much more of a factor when/if we play a team that has some actual bigs and doesnt try to play small. The Heat are still going to try and run us out of the building and that neutralizes most of our bigs becasue of the lack of foot speed and athleticism.

[TampaCeltic80]

His stats sheet is less than impressive (8 minutes, 2 points, 0 rebounds, 1 assist) but I thought he really had a big and positive impact on the game. He looked way better in the 2nd half than in the first both with his play and physically.

I thought his mere presence on D changed the whole Heat's strategy : we saw Wade get to the paint, face Shaq, dribble around and then get the ball out of the perimeter instead of attacking the rim, fearing to get blocked by Shaq. With Baby or Krstic in his place, Wade definitely would have got to the tim, made the layup and/or got the and one. With Shaq, no way, he was just like a big wall standing and it helped us get stops and thus get easy points in transition. It definitely is a big change from the momentum stoppers plays the Heat had with these kind of individual performances by James and Wade at critical times in games 1 and 2.

Also, on offense, Shaq's mere presence and him in the post helped to free up his teammates, especially Green who used his presence to cut to the basket and get easy buckets or get fouled.

So kudos for Shaq who clearly played hobbled but gave it all and still managed to have a big impact. I hope he can do more of the same in the next games.

+1

there were several instances where Heat players saw Shaq there and thought better of going to the hole. that's what we need. Jermaine is an awesome blocker and defender, but he's not 7'2, 350 lbs.

i'd also like to add that assist was a thing of beauty. Shaq has always been one of the best passing big men, since his days in LA... he catches the ball and not only SEES the court but KNOWS where other players should or will be and hits them with pinpoint passes.

Shaq was a definite game changer last night. no doubt about it.

[Roy H.]

Yeah, I agree.  Tanguay and Donny were talking about how useless he is and how he hurt the team, and I thought that was ridiculous.  Shaq was a big presence that the Heat had to guard down low on offense, and who took up space and clogged the lane on D.

I hope he can go in Game 4.

[Spilling Green Dye]

TP b/c I definitely agree.  His presence didn't show up in the box score but he had a very big impact while on the court.  It was so refreshing to see him come in at Center instead of Davis (who logged 10 minutes). 

And that pass from the post that Shaq made was terrific.  I can't wait to see him check in again!

[Neurotic Guy]

I am looking forward to hear how he is doing today.  I am hoping that at least part of what we saw yesterday in the first haf was rust and lack of wind.  If his leg holds out he still needs to get used to running hard up and down the court. 

On another note, the impact of JO defensively can't be understated in my opinion.  He has been solid and giving it his all despite his bad back, knees, etc...  I am impressed with his desire and focus.

[JSD]

He definitely looked a lot better in the 2nd half, despite what the box score might say. His presence alone makes such a difference.

[Spicoli]

It was sad to see the big fella limping in the first half, but i appreciate him toughing it out for the team. I agree with Drucci about him looking a LOT better in the second half though. As far as his status going forward, Doc Rivers says that he came out of the game without re aggravating the injury:

http://espn.go.com/blog/BostonCeltics/post/_/id/4683783/notebook-kg-in-a-non-zone-zone#shaq

[BudweiserCeltic]

More than defensively, where he got burned a few times (perimeter 3, incapable of returning to his man after helping, etc.) I think his major contribution was offensively and how the system was flowing. A bit of a hiccup in the first half since our players where hesitating on how to go about it (waiting too long to give the ball in the post for example), in the 2nd half the impact flourished with his passing, the attention he was getting, how they were moving Jeff Green with Shaq on the floor, and things of that nature.

More importantly, Baby played only 11 minutes which is great considering how he has been playing in the playoffs.

[Bankshot]

Yeah, I agree.  Tanguay and Donny were talking about how useless he is and how he hurt the team, and I thought that was ridiculous.  Shaq was a big presence that the Heat had to guard down low on offense, and who took up space and clogged the lane on D.

I hope he can go in Game 4.

Yup.  Miami double teams Shaq and he got off a nice pass to Green inside because of that double team. 

Tanguay and Donny are dopes.  That's why I don't like Donnie, he doesn't know as much about basketball as some think.  At least Tanguay has an excuse as to why he doesn't know what he's talking about.

[dark_lord]

the presense of shaq, even if for a few minutes and he is a shell of what he was early in the season.....is better than krstic

[cman88]

honestly, the best thing was to see dwade attempt to drive only to see shaq move up in front of him and dwade backing down...

thats the asset of having shaq out there....also, even hobbled if you leave him open under the basket hes getting points.

he may not have shown up on the stat sheet, but his presence helped us limit Lebron/wade to jumpers