Shaq Out for Game 5

[pennant_fever]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but...

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nba/245/shaquille-oneal
http://twitter.com/#!/Shandel_HeatNBA/status/68328244906168320

I suppose he wasn't giving much anyway, but it was nice to think that he was having some kind of impact, or that they were slowly working on increasing his minutes. Oh well...

[PosImpos]

Not really a surprise.

Overall, Shaq has been a disappointment.  It's really too bad, considering the potential the team showed when he was healthy.  Hard not to wonder what might have been if Shaq had been healthy enough to play in the playoffs the way he did early in the season.  With a healthy Shaq (and two-armed Rondo) I think the Celtics may very well have been the best team in the league.

[Chris]

Probably for the best.  He was a huge liability on defense in game 4, and really brought very little offensively. 

Particularly with Miami going small so much, I think the C's should be fine without Shaq anyways, as long as they rotate KG and JO in a way to keep one of them on the floor at all times (which Doc did for the most part last game). 

[dlpin]

Particularly with Miami going small so much, I think the C's should be fine without Shaq anyways, as long as they rotate KG and JO in a way to keep one of them on the floor at all times (which Doc did for the most part last game). 

I disagree. Shaq is the only guy who could really make them pay for going small. I think that the story of this series has been that Miami small lineup is better than the celtics small line up and the celtics doesn't have a big that can score consistently to make miami pay for going small.

[celticinorlando]

time for shaq to retire

[footey]

Particularly with Miami going small so much, I think the C's should be fine without Shaq anyways, as long as they rotate KG and JO in a way to keep one of them on the floor at all times (which Doc did for the most part last game). 

I disagree. Shaq is the only guy who could really make them pay for going small. I think that the story of this series has been that Miami small lineup is better than the celtics small line up and the celtics doesn't have a big that can score consistently to make miami pay for going small.

I agree with you. Jermaine really does not play big. Seems to get his shot blocked a lot by Miami, including little guys like Wade. That does not happen to Shaq. He is too strong. Very disappointed with Jermaine's play in that regard.

[PosImpos]

Particularly with Miami going small so much, I think the C's should be fine without Shaq anyways, as long as they rotate KG and JO in a way to keep one of them on the floor at all times (which Doc did for the most part last game). 

I disagree. Shaq is the only guy who could really make them pay for going small. I think that the story of this series has been that Miami small lineup is better than the celtics small line up and the celtics doesn't have a big that can score consistently to make miami pay for going small.

I agree with you. Jermaine really does not play big. Seems to get his shot blocked a lot by Miami, including little guys like Wade. That does not happen to Shaq. He is too strong. Very disappointed with Jermaine's play in that regard.

Not that surprising, though.  Jermaine is big but he doesn't elevate at all anymore, making it really easy for his shot to get blocked inside.  If Jermaine could jump the way KG still can (when he's healthy and energized), he would be able to score a lot more.


It is definitely time for Shaq to retire.

[StartOrien]

"Go Time"

[Chris]

Particularly with Miami going small so much, I think the C's should be fine without Shaq anyways, as long as they rotate KG and JO in a way to keep one of them on the floor at all times (which Doc did for the most part last game). 

I disagree. Shaq is the only guy who could really make them pay for going small. I think that the story of this series has been that Miami small lineup is better than the celtics small line up and the celtics doesn't have a big that can score consistently to make miami pay for going small.

If he is healthy, you are correct.  The problem is, Shaq has shown over 2 games that he can't make them pay.  He just physically is not capable of doing what they need him to do.  And if Shaq is not absolutely killing it offensively, he is just a major liability, because he is terrible on the pick and roll defense.  

I was saying the same thing you are saying now before game 3, but after seeing Shaq struggle out there, it is just so clear that he is not healthy enough to help them.  

I think Shaq got away with it a bit in game 3, since the Heat didn't know what to expect from him, but in game 4, it was clear that they gameplanned for when he was in there, and attacked him over and over again on the pick and rolls, and not fearing him at all on the other end, until Doc was forced to sit him down.  

[coco]

I've never liked Doc's rotations, and for the life of me, I can't understsand not playing JGreen when LeBron is playing PF for Miami.  No more Baby please! Go with JGreen!

I would play whomever is feeling it the most, between our 3 guard rotation.  If Ray or Rondo have to take a seat because Dolante is having a heck of a game, you seat Ray or Rondo.  I hope Doc understands that.  I rather have JGreen at the 4 than PP when Miami goes small.


Small line up: KG, JG, PP, RA/DW, DW/Rondo

[Who]

Oh well, it's a loss but not a massive one.

Shaq was a useful asset in this series. I would have liked to have seen Garnett play alongside him more often and for to play against non-small lineups to give him protection defensively ... alas, it's all a non-issue now with Shaq out.

[PosImpos]

"Go Time"

Wouldn't it be awesome if Troy came in off the bench and just killed it, rebounding and hitting shots like crazy?  He'd average a double double over the next three games, which the Celtics would all win thanks to his sudden contribution and the Heat's lack of an answer for him.

#ifonly

[stylo617617]

thank you danny ainge for trading our center away ,i think jeff will be a good piece for the future but thanks alot cmon

[Jack_Frost]

In my opinion we are not loosing because of Perk trade, but....

Shame on Danny: he said he trade Kendrick counting on Shaq...

[Marcus13]

LOL; great job, Danny!