Shaq is not healthy enough to start. Play him 10 minutes or so off the bench. That was good the other night.
Very good, it allows us to use BBD exclusively at the PF position when Miami isn't going super small with James Jones at the 4.
A much better role for BBD to contribute.
What's the difference between that and starting Shaq? Shaq's not too good at creating his own shot anymore, the only way he's going to be super-effective is from drop offs after a Rondo/Pierce drive. Putting him with the starters also allows JO to become to main big off the bench. Jermaine could definitely fix a lot of our bench's defense and rebounding issues.
I think there can be an argument made either way, and all things equal, the real reason is probably just not to mess with things at this point in the series, but here are my three reasons not to change things.
1. JO has built some nice chemistry with the starting unit, and I just don't think this is the time to mess with that. While I think Shaq could easily be integrated into the starters, I am not as confident about JO playing with the reserves, since his defense will be less impactful with that group, and he doesn't bring the offense Shaq does.
2. Having Shaq in their with the second unit really gives them an offensive threat that they haven't had. When KG comes off the floor, they really needed someone else who the other team at least needs to respect in the post, and Shaq is the only other guy on the roster who really gives that. It should really help open things up for the second unit.
3. It didn't play out in game 3, but having Shaq in for the first few minutes of the second and fourth quarter could be huge in getting the Heat in foul trouble at crucial points in the game. Joel Anthony cannot handle Shaq, and if they continue to feed him as he gets his legs under him a little more, the C's are going to be getting the Heat into the penalty a lot earlier in the 2nd and 4th quarters, which could be keys to finishing off the halfs strong.
