Honestly, I'm a Laker fan and I'm on the fence now. Prior to him going to Boston - I'd be fine... but now... im not too sure
That's because Cavs didn't run the offense through Shaq enough. Much due to Shaq clogging the lane and LeBron couldn't have the spacing to drive. If you want to play Shaq, run the offense through him, and he can be effective down low one-on-one still. He also works harder on defense side when he gets fed in the other end. Shaq didn't fit Cavs at all, but Celtics can be a different story.
I don't think you can run an offense through Shaq anymore other than as a short change-of-pace. Giving him the ball more on offense could tire him out and make his defense less effective. When the Cavs DID run their offense through Shaq, it crashed because it took him forever to make a move and shoot and everybody else just watched from afar. Signing him for the vet min is a low-risk move, but I don't share the optimism about how much he'll help other than as a big body because Perkins is out.
Three titles are three titles. His number should be retired since he was the dominant force in the league during his time with the Lakers.
Isn't Shaq worried that green will make him look fat? The dude is 38, he is about as relevant as Andre Agassi is to tennis. He sells tickets, thats the only positive about him. Thats half the reason I wanted him to come to Houston...
This is true, but at this point if your team is running your offense through Shaq you are in deep ****.
I think this was a great move by Boston. They're in it to win it now and for the next couple of years and now they're tying up loose ends. Shaq is still a great passer and you have to give him attention. Perkins will be nowhere close to being able to play major minutes this year anyway. I contend that shaq is the type of guy who needs to play to stay in shape. They have Jermaine,Garnett,Shaq,and Davis so they can mix and match with anyone. When perkins went out against La, they were killed by la's size inside and got out physicaled. Good move and it probably keeps them relevant for another year or so. The spurs wouldve been better off with shaq than mcdyess,bonner and whomever else they keep trotting out with duncan.
I don't see how 20 minutes through him is a problem. He certainly can lead the bench and occasionally close out the game if he's hot.
I have a friend who's a celtics fan, and he's happy now, at the seven heaven he was so when they michael finley came, he was so when ray allen didn't leave, he was so when jermaine came and when sheed came, even when garnett came almost with one leg only...... and my question is......... are'nt there any younger FAs not so expensive????? and another question..... They didn't win last year, how can they think to win this year??????????????
Don't sleep on the Celtics! They pretty much beat themselves in the Finals. Added size over the summer and will be a tough matchup for the Heat.
Often overlooked is the ability of others to get him the ball. He will go crazy with Nate and Wafer feeding him on the second unit.
So, now you got two guys (Shaq and Rondo) that can't shoot free throws to save their life that the opponent can just hack away on down the stretch. Who are they gonna get to close games? (Rondo's FT shooting isn't going to improve. They won't change his mechanics.) Boston looked really old during the Finals this season. Pierce looked like he was moving around in wet concrete. I just don't see it with these guys next season.
I agree with you. If only Pierce hadn't played like a 50 year-old man in game 3, Celts would have closed it out in 5 games.
True. The Lakers are the oldest team in the league with an average age of 30.0. The Celtics are 28.6, and that's including 36 year old Rasheed who is retiring. Miami averages 28.1.
