Shaq Day to Day

Shaq day-to-day
Link|Comments (0)Posted by Gary Dzen, Boston.com Staff October 29, 2010 10:46 PM
Shaquille O'Neal is day-to-day after taking a shot to the right knee from Knicks power forward Amare' Stoudemire during the third quarter of tonight's game.

"I tried to come over, and Amar'e, his knee ran into my fibula head," said O'Neal. "It's a new word I learned today, obviously. Fibula head. Head of the fibula."

O'Neal came in for one play in the fourth quarter but said he did not feel good enough to continue.

"I sat a couple extra minutes, and when Doc put me back in for the play I kind of felt something funny there," said O'Neal.

The team took X-rays, and O'Neal said he will get rest tomorrow and see how his knee feels before making a determination on whether or not he can practice Sunday.

Shaquille joins Jermaine among the injured O'Neals. Jermaine O'Neal sustained some knee swelling during the Cleveland game on Wednesday and did not play tonight.

“It’s the swelling of the knee, but no damage," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. "They’ve done MRIs. That’s the good news. We’ve just got to let the swelling go down. You know, I hope it doesn’t happen, but we anticipate this could happen one or two games. That neither one are available. We just hope it’s not for a long stretch.”

If neither O'Neal can go, Semih Erden will see time, in addition to Glen Davis.

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Saw that play,Amare was running full speed,hope Semih can play effectively,guess he and Harongody may be getting some minutes......its so early,how did JO get so banged up already?

This kind of thing can happen to any team but it happens more frequently when you depend on an older group of players, obviously... This year will resemble last year, in that respect, I think... Doc will have to spend a lot of time doing mix and match. Considering he guided us to within 5 points of a banner last year, given any kind of good luck with major injuries (like none), and hoping we get a reasonable Perkins for the playoffs.....We have a real legitimate shot...for number 18...
Course, I see things through green glasses so.....

That's precisely the reason I'm very likely to be preaching the same sermon as last season. We all need to give the team a chance to experience some continuity in order to attain the advanced chemistry degree they will need to be serious contenders; and that continuity may be difficult to come by for more than short stretches at a time until much later in the year. As with last season, the good news is that veterans usually get with the program relatively faster than kids once they have the luxury of continuity.

Regardless of temporary good flashes and bumps in the road, I'll wager Doc has April squarely in his sights even this early in the game. And he's absolutely the perfect coach for this kind of team. I hope everyone noticed what a master stroke he pulled off a couple of days ago.

Doc knows that conditions are not right to expect the team to seek the ultimate chemistry at present. So he set out to accomplish the next best thing—to clarify the roles of key pieces of the puzzle so that, when the puzzle is able to be pieced together, the component parts will be as ready as possible. Shaq now knows that his role is rebounding and defending. KG now knows that he shouldn't be overpassing rather than being offensively aggressive. Rondo understands that, however good a playmaker he is, he should be aspiring to do even more in that direction. And on down the line...Paul Pierce, etc.

Veteran players obviously know pretty much what they're supposed to do on the court. But, just as Red Auerbach selected his players based on the specialties at which each was outstanding, Doc has let these guys know that they're each expected to leverage (almost selfishly) those skills at which they most excel.

Sometimes players get the idea they have to do it all. And they all do contribute in a variety of ways over time. But a team on which specialists play their roles first and contribute otherwise when opportune is the kind of team to which Doc aspires.

Chemistry for a Celtics team doesn't come from everyone trying to do everything. It comes by combining the best specialties from every player like complementary parts of a machine. And that's what Doc has very firmly instilled in these guys. That perspective, alone, should contribute to a little better chemistry even in the short-term. But it will pay much bigger chemistry dividends when the whole team is available and able to play together with some continuity.

One step at a time. That's how the season unfolds. It may not be ideal from the viewpoints of fans who want instant gratification, but that's how it works. Yes, establishing a winning record is important as the season unfolds. But, in another sense, the entire season is like training camp for the playoffs. The quest for improvement never ceases.

Sam

It appears Shaq is out against Detroit but Jermaine O'Neal is in.

As long as Shaq's not badly hurt, perhaps it will be a blessing in disguise to give Jermaine an extended baptism by fire.

Sam

Agreed Sam about Shaq,it could only be good to rest him and give JO and Semih a good run,heck I don't want to see Ray or Paul do 35+ either,especially since we play tomorow night.So besides Quis and Wafer maybe even Luke can get some floor time,hope all these bench guys play agressively and don't pass up shots.