12/21/24
August 04, 2010
Shaq is now a Green man.: Shaq is now preparing his own letter of farewell and thanks to the Cleveland fans after signing with the Boston Celtics.
posted by beaverboard to basketball at 05:50 PM - 17 comments
If someone could upgrade the link to a better story that would be good. The link is to a weak breaking news blurb.
Please don't let him be the second coming of Artis Gilmore 1988. I was looking for footage of that - found none. It was painful to watch back in the day. It was the A Train's last stop.
Shaq and Big Baby can now put some LSU twin towers mojo on the floor together.
posted by beaverboard at 10:20 PM on August 04, 2010
Shaq and Big Baby can now put some LSU twin towers mojo on the floor together
For only about 5-7 minutes. I don't think Shaq has anything left in the tank. He's just bouncing around from team to team looking for his fifth ring. Just retire already....Does that sound familiar here lately?
posted by sgtcookzane at 10:48 PM on August 04, 2010
Eastern conference playoffs should be great next year. Boston, Miami, Orlando, Chicago, Atlanta, couple others. Who is the pre season favorite? I guess I would pick Boston if I had to bet $, but would be really nervous about Miami and Orlando.
posted by mayerkyl at 08:00 AM on August 05, 2010
I don't think Shaq has anything left in the tank.
I'm inclined to agree, but the Celtics need a stand-in while Kendrick Perkins recovers. If all Shaq does is clog the lane at the veteran minimum, it makes sense.
posted by yerfatma at 08:26 AM on August 05, 2010
I can't think of a better way to motivate Kobe and the Lakers. Somewhere in Montana, Phil Jackson is smiling.
posted by cjets at 12:05 PM on August 05, 2010
So now Shaq is asking the fans to pick out a new nickname for him. He's looking for something appropriate to his being in Boston, but my entry would be "The Great-Grandfather".
posted by Howard_T at 02:56 PM on August 05, 2010
The Big Leprechaun ?
posted by tommybiden at 03:15 PM on August 05, 2010
I don't think Shaq has anything left in the tank.
If you buy the stat geek's measurements, Shaq was in the top half of the league last year in terms of efficiency, production, etc. I think he still has value, but perceptions get skewed with him b/c of how great he used to be. A slightly above average Shaq, is well, a slightly above average player, but given his former greatness it seems hard to look at him in a positive light.
posted by brainofdtrain at 03:29 PM on August 05, 2010
Do you have a link to those stats? It would make me feel better. Unless you just mean shooting percentage and points per minute. I'm not really worried about his offense, more his defense.
posted by yerfatma at 03:41 PM on August 05, 2010
fatma,
I can look it up for ya, but i distinctly remember that one of his main weaknesses in their metrics was his defensive play. That's probably the main reason why this could be a horrible idea. Nonetheless, i think it is a great gamble-if he buys in, focusing more energy on D, he can still give a bit more consistent offense than Perk with comparable defense. Isn't he longer than Perk? That killed them in Game 7.
If not, who cares? He's at the veterans minimum, & you've got 4 other bodies you can throw out there. I think it is a great move honestly. As long as you ship him to Japan to play if he starts becoming a chemistry killer, you've taken a great gamble.
posted by brainofdtrain at 07:53 PM on August 05, 2010
I'm not really worried about his offense, more his defense.
A thousand times this. The Celtics have ran there bigs out to show on EVERY pick and roll during the "Big Three" era. This was part of why assistant coach Thibodeau's defensive scheme worked so well. I don't foresee Rivers changing defensive schemes (even with Thibodeau now coaching in Chicago). Which makes me question exactly what they are going to do to hide Shaq on defense. There are very few back-to-the-basket centers left, which only further marginalizes one of Shaq's defensive strengths (the ability to body up and go one-on-one down low). Most big men now either set up on the high post (if they have any kind of offensive game), run screen-rolls, or set pin down screens. Shaq's questionable position in the Celtics defensive schemes mitigates any offensive or rebounding contributions he could make.
I don't understand this signing. This couldn't have been done to counter Dwight Howard, they seem to play him rather well. I'm still drawing straws, any one have a better read on this?
posted by lilnemo at 08:28 PM on August 05, 2010
I like the nickname Diesel Hybrid...cuz he's going green. Cheesy, I know, but I like it...
Isn't his role at this point just to play 10-15 minutes spelling whoever starts, maybe giving them 6 fouls against tougher centers, and just to not get in the way too much? I know Shaq has always left teams ablaze when he left, but isn't he always a character guy you want in the locker room during the honeymoon? That might be what Boston is banking on. I actually wish the Pistons woulda went after him. We haven't had a joker on the team since Sheed left...
posted by MeatSaber at 09:46 PM on August 05, 2010
Cheesy, I know, but I like it...
You obviously don't watch enough ESPN. That's 10x better than everything they've proposed.
Isn't his role at this point just to play 10-15 minutes spelling whoever starts
Only if you believe Jermaine O'Neal is still a starter in the NBA. Once Perk comes back, maybe it works well. If they make the playoffs, they could be a tough match up for second units. Of course, if they make the playoffs and Ray Allen turns back into a pumpkin like he's done the last couple of years, it won't make much of a difference.
posted by yerfatma at 08:47 AM on August 06, 2010
Who is the pre season favorite?
On paper, no team should touch Miami - will be interesting to see if Wade can pull that group through in the playoffs. Orlando is really coming into their own, Dwight Howard has earned the reputation of a big time player in big games (unlike the uncrowned "King"). Celtics are well coached, play together, and I believe Shaq will fit nicely ... but they are old,old,old and have problems with both injuries and younger opponents, especially in long playoff series.
posted by cixelsyd at 10:40 AM on August 06, 2010
I don't understand this signing
Celtics playoff losses were in most part due to giving up loads of offensive rebounds. Having a true offensive post option doesn't hurt either.
posted by cixelsyd at 10:51 AM on August 06, 2010
Heat +175
Lakers +320
Magic +900
Celtics +1000
Are the first four favourites, all teams available at bet365.com
posted by tommybiden at 12:59 PM on August 06, 2010
The 2 previous Shaq experiments were doomed (Phoenix & Cleveland).
He might actually be a good fit in Boston.