Negative comments by Shaq and others irk Van Gundy.- Coach: Stop blame, complaints

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/sports/epaper/2005/01/26/a4c_heat_0126.html



Coach: Stop blame, complaints
Negative comments by Shaq and others irk Van Gundy.



TORONTO — Shaquille O'Neal's complaints about teammates missing open shots in Monday's loss at Philadelphia were not well-received by Heat coach Stan Van Gundy.

Van Gundy said the Heat's problems go beyond shooting and start with defense, rebounding and effort.

In other words, three areas in which O'Neal has been inconsistent this season.

"That's the wrong thing to be talking about,'' Van Gundy said about the perimeter shooting. "There are nights the ball goes in, there are nights the ball doesn't go in. The problem with us over the last three weeks is we haven't consistently played hard enough or with enough energy.''

O'Neal insists he was not pointing fingers specifically when he said a player must take it personally when his man leaves him to double-team. The criticism could have been aimed at Eddie Jones (3-of-12) or Damon Jones (2-of-6). Dwyane Wade missed 10 of his 13 shots but played the final two quarters after spraining his left ankle and bruising his left knee. Wade missed Tuesday's practice and the knee could prevent him from playing against the Raptors tonight. Wade said he is day to day.

"I didn't call my team out,'' O'Neal said. "I said when a guy like Dwyane is hurt, he kicks the ball out, we have to hit shots. That's all I said. I'm not in the business of calling my team out. We all need to play better. That's what I said."

O'Neal scored 24 points but had just five rebounds, missed 11-of-17 free throws and allowed Sixers center Samuel Dalembert, who is 2 inches shorter and 70 pounds lighter, to have 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Defense, rebounding and effort.

"When we get our focus on those things, on making effort and on playing harder and defending better and rebounding better and doing all those things rather than saying it's all about shooting, then we'll be headed in the right direction,'' Van Gundy said.

"Quit looking for all the different excuses and places to point the finger. Point it at ourselves and be responsible and go out and get the job done.''

None of O'Neal's teammates would publicly say he's calling out any one individual, but they all agree that this team has lost something.

"Guys really don't read into it,'' Wade said. "I mean, Shaq, without him saying anything, we all understand that we have to do that. I think guys know that.''

Van Gundy, attempting to keep his team from unraveling, addressed the situation before Tuesday's practice. Miami (30-13) has seen its lead in the Eastern Conference and Southeast Division shrink to 3 1/2 games over Washington. Since winning 14 straight, the Heat is 5-6.

"December is long gone now and over the month of January we have been a very mediocre to below mediocre team and we've got to accept that and work to change it,'' Van Gundy said.

Van Gundy does not want to hear O'Neal implying that he paces himself or Wade saying Tuesday the Heat's slump is common.

"There comes a point in the season where everyone goes through the times that we're going through right now,'' Wade said.

Van Gundy does not sound as convinced.

"We need to get back to playing harder for longer on a more consistent basis every night,'' he said. "Until we do that we will be what we've been the last three weeks. If we're not going to make more effort than the people we play against then we'll stay right where we've been.''







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