Shaq and back to back games

[nowagimp]

Well, big men taken in the middle of the first round are never ready, that's for damn sure. The league-wide success rate drafting a big outside of the first five picks has to be less than 10%.

It would be interesting to see if any of the first round players are NBA ready besides rose and fernandez(no rookie in bball experience). OJ mayo scored 28 the other night for hi sbest game, but gave up 33. I have not been impressed by any of these rooks outside rose. Apparently Beasley gets burned on D all the time.

 

[Irish]

The decision to rest Shaq against the smallish Pacers was a deliberate plan. Instead, they plan to hold him out tonight.

We're used to a coach managing minutes but not games played. The idea appears to be saving Shaq for games he is most useful for and not games where the opponent is really quick. The decision to go with Amundson would seem to support that approach.

As for Lopez, I'd guess his main value is blocking shots and the Pacers were most an outside shooting threat. Tonight is another such game with Gooden being the Bulls starting center.

 

[Griffin]

Against the Bulls, the decision to sit Shaq backfired. The Suns thought they could win without him, instead they were blown out. A big reason (among many) for the loss was rebounding, where the Bulls dominated the glass, ourebounding the Suns by 14 (first time all season the Suns were outrebounded). Let's see if the Suns reconsider the Shaq resting strategy in light of the loss.

 

[BC867]

Lopez got some needed playing time. Disappointing that had only 2 boards.

The plan to rest Shaq has two benefits. To rest Shaq. And to allow Lopez to fit into the team chemistry, an important part of acclaimating as a rookie.

 

[Griffin]

From Coro's article:

After seeing his team second-guess its moves without O'Neal, Porter liked the results of O'Neal's prescription rest.

"I'm all for that day off now," Porter said

 

[mojorizen7]

Are we in danger of missing the playoffs already after getting trounced by an out-of-conference team on a road trip in November because Shaq sat?
LOL
Resting the big guy is the right thing to do for April,May, and hopefully June

 

[Griffin]

Resting the big guy is the right thing to do for April,May, and hopefully June

So a night off in November is going to keep him fresh in April?

Anyway, here's a quote from Shaq:

"Usually when I get two days off and I get to work with Nellie (Suns head athletic trainer Aaron Nelson), I feel kind of fresh," O'Neal said. "Thanks to Steve (Kerr) and upper management for their decision."

I guess if there was any doubt as to who is actually coaching this team and making lineup decisions, that statement says it all.

 

[mojorizen7]

So a night off in November is going to keep him fresh in April?

As part of cumulative nights off on back-to-backs say over the next 3 months?.......Yeah of course it will.

 

[Mainstreet]

Anyway, here's a quote from Shaq:

I guess if there was any doubt as to who is actually coaching this team and making lineup decisions, that statement says it all.

I wonder where Porter is at about this.

As a new coach, I suspect on the side of management.

 

[Andrew]

Playing Shaq every game when the matchup doesn't call for it is ok with me. Plus, he is still capable of dropping 30 on anyone, like last night when rested...

 

[arwillan]

Playing Shaq every game when the matchup doesn't call for it is ok with me. Plus, he is still capable of dropping 30 on anyone, like last night when rested...

dropping 30 on anyone? he dropped 29 on milwaukee's front court. that is far from impressive. how foolishly blind can you be? the highest he scored before that game was 18 against an equally unimpressive nets team. Against the best team we've played so far (New Orleans) he scored 8 points, and they didn't even have chandler playing. go crawl back under your shaq-loving rock.

 

[Black Jesus]

532 more days until Shaq retires and Andrew disappears for good

 

[Andrew]

dropping 30 on anyone? he dropped 29 on milwaukee's front court. that is far from impressive. how foolishly blind can you be? the highest he scored before that game was 18 against an equally unimpressive nets team. Against the best team we've played so far (New Orleans) he scored 8 points, and they didn't even have chandler playing. go crawl back under your shaq-loving rock.

Uh wow, dramatic much? 29 against anyone is impressive especially when people claim he is "done". It was just an example he was not done yet, he doesn't have to score points to make an impression, which is clearly STILL the case.

How about I stick around here for a little bit? God knows you would hate that, but then again...its not about you.

 

[Andrew]

532 more days until Shaq retires and Andrew disappears for good

Really? You can see into the future?

 

[Andrew]

What is the problem? I post here, get used to it. Whether or not you agree with me being here, I will continue to post here. I am not the enemy, its all of you who think just because you have been a fan longer or because you disagree with my love for Shaq you have a right to disrespect me.

Learn to deal with it, I am not leaving anytime soon and your little quips only embarass yourself. Learn to grow up...embrace it.

 

[arwillan]

Uh wow, dramatic much? 29 against anyone is impressive especially when people claim he is "done". It was just an example he was not done yet, he doesn't have to score points to make an impression, which is clearly STILL the case.

How about I stick around here for a little bit? God knows you would hate that, but then again...its not about you.

he didn't do a whole lot of this scoring business against the spurs in the playoffs last year, and he sure did make an impression. not a positive one, however. if that's what you meant, then i agree whole-heartedly.

if by "stick around here for a little bit" you mean "make stupid posts about how shaq is basketball god until my next suspension", then by all means feel free to do so.

 

[Andrew]

Could you be any more of a pain?

 

[Covert Rain]

dropping 30 on anyone? he dropped 29 on milwaukee's front court. that is far from impressive. how foolishly blind can you be? the highest he scored before that game was 18 against an equally unimpressive nets team. Against the best team we've played so far (New Orleans) he scored 8 points, and they didn't even have chandler playing. go crawl back under your shaq-loving rock.

You can't be serious. Dropping 29 on any team is impressive. This is the NBA. There are 7 footers and other centers in this league that will never sniff 29 points.

Though I agree this doesn't mean Shaq is going to drop points in the upper 20's on a regular basis (I think he is too old), it's still impressive.