Shaq WILL Comeback Next Year

Have we seen the last of Shaq? I seriously doubt it after listening Shaq today...

"A little bit of both. Business-wise, I felt that the Boston organization and the people of Boston treated me very, very well. I could have gotten a little minor surgery and then been out for nine months, but then we would have been in the same situation again, everybody sitting around waiting for me. So, I thought it was great business to let Danny [Ainge] go out and get some younger talent."

Added O'Neal: "I didn't want to let the people of Boston down two years in a row."

Asked if he's 100 percent certain that he will stay retired, Shaq coyly replied: "For now, yes (WEEI)."

If that wasn't enough here is what Ainge had to say...

Celtics general manager Danny Ainge isn't sure if Shaq's done playing in the NBA.

"Oh, I don't know," Ainge told the Boston Herald. "I don't know. I would not say that. I mean, hopefully Shaq can get his body healthy and then reconsider."

Ainge then added, "I can tell you that even if he's still out when we start next year, he's a guy I'll be making a phone call to at some time during the season. But I believe what he's saying now is real (ESPN)."

Is it just me or does this sound like a perfect situation for a comeback?

Sit back and think about it. The Celtics are a top seed next year in the East. It's KG's Allen's, and Jermaine's last year with the Celtics. The last run for the old guys. Just before the playoffs start. Suddenly like a hurricane Big Old Shaq comes through the door to give them the final piece. One last time for an era that is ending. Playoffs start... Old vs. Young. Sounds like a movie right? Shaq loves movies. What a better way for him to go out, and trust me that's just how Shaq thinks (plus it sounds like Ainge is on board).

I just think with all the "not wanting to let down Boston again", and how he "really enjoyed his time here", listening to all of that makes me think he is coming back. Sure, you can point out that I bought into Sheed coming back, but there is a difference here. The Celtics LIKE Shaq.

Breaking News: Shaq Retires

"Shaquille O'Neal posted a video on Tout, which indicates that he is ready to retire after 19 years in the NBA. "We did it, 19 years baby," O'Neal said in the video. "I want to thank you very much. That's why I'm telling you first: I'm about to retire (WEEI)."


You can see the video HERE


Even though the injury fucked the Celtics I am still sad to see him go, and he would still be a bargin for $1 million if he was to come back. To me this makes it even more obvious the Celtics will go after a big man in the draft. At least Shaq isn't a douche got this over with quickly.

Shaq's Mom Says He's Coming Back

Speaking before an event in Louisiana, Shaquille O'Neal's mother Lucille said that her son may not be ready to retire yet.

“He went there to help them win a championship, and they didn’t do that this year,’’ his mother told the New Orleans Picayune. “It bothered him so much that he could not play. He felt like he let the Boston team down and the community down, so I could believe he’s going back to Boston. He’s not in a place to be traded or anything like that (WEEI).’’

Man even after the season is over we can't get away from these Shaq stories. I am not sure if I want him back or not. I love him and all, but I just don't think there is any shot that he can make it through a healthy season. Then again, you aren't going to find another center for only $1 million, so I guess it can't hurt to have him back.

Shaq Doubtful For Tonight's Game

"Shaquille O'Neal didn't play in the second half or overtime of Game 4 of the Celtics playoff series with Miami and he's not likely to play in Wednesday night's Game 5 either. It wasn't a coaching decision by Doc Rivers, it was strictly health-related. "It was physical," Rivers said at the team's shootaround. "Don’t know yet today. I will say I doubt it. That little stretch of the game it got worse."

Rivers said that Shaq's condition worsened in the four minutes he played in Game 4 and it doesn't sound like he will be able to play no matter what happens in Game 5 or beyond. "It’s nothing he can do. It’s not like he’s not trying," Rivers said. "He’s done everything you possibly can do to get healthy. Unfortunately for him he just hasn’t been able to do it. When he originally got injured no one thought it was that serious. It just never healed and it still hasn’t and now every time he plays it gets worse (WEEI)."

Sounds like Shaq is done for the playoffs. We waited all year for him to be back, and he just doesn't have it. At this point he is barely playing, and really has no effect on the game. I don't think this will really have any kind of baring on what happens tonight, but you have to wonder if this is the last we will ever see of Shaq in the NBA.

Shaq To Play

Shaq is playing Saturday against the Heat and he is desperately needed. We are down 0-2, LeBron and Wade have been feasting in the paint and obviously rebounds haven't been our strong point. I don't expect Shaq to play 25+ minutes but I expect him to be in there for at least 15.

What he brings to the celtics is some interior toughness and some easy points in the paint. Joel Anthony and Big Z are not going to be able to keep up with the big man down low. Also, Shaq gives us 6 hard foules on LeBron and Wade. He can come in there and make sure they feel it when they try to rush into the paint.

I like the Celtics odds at home these next coming games.

Shaq To Play In Game 2 or Game 3 (UPDATED)

I know, I know I am sick of these too, and I really don't believe any of it, but it does seem Shaq is actually really close to returning...

"Shaq did miss Game 1 against the Heat on Sunday, however he could finally return to the active roster on Tuesday for Game 2.

"He's getting very close," Doc Rivers told ESPNBoston.com. "Honestly, we had to actually make a decision today, so that's better than what we've had to do in the past. He's getting close. Maybe next game. If not, I would say for sure Game 3 (ESPN)."

This is big for a couple reasons. First off, the 2nd unit needs some kind of spark, and maybe Shaq can be that guy. The second is that the Heat ate the Celtics up with points in the paint and having another big body can only help. What we can actually get out of Shaq is a big question, but if he can play 12 mins I think he could have a pretty big effect on this series.

***UPDATE***

Shaq won't play in Tuesday's Game 2, but it's sounding like Game 3 is within reach.

"Shaq update: still out," tweeted Howard Beck of the New York Times. "But Doc says he had a 'phenomenal' practice (Monday) and could play Game 3 (ESPN)."

I'll believe it when I see it.

Celtics Updates

"On Wednesday, the Knicks received the kind of news they can least afford to have: MRI exams showed that Amar'e Stoudemire has a pulled muscle in his back and Chauncey Billups has a strained left knee, according to ESPNNewYork.com."

Also that report on Shaq being out for the playoffs was wrong, Doc said he can play Sunday.

Well I kind of figured Amare would play, but I also figured Billups would be out. That's good for the Celtics as we saw Rondo completely abuse Toney Douglas' lack of defense. i know Amare is still sore with a torn back muscle so if I were KG or Jermaine I would go at him early and often to see how he responds to it. As for Shaq, I has no idea what to think anymore, I'm just going to look the other way and pretend like this problem doesn't exist.

Celtics Injury Updates

The season is finally over, and the question now is whether or not the Celtics are ready. After reading Doc's comments about Shaq I have to admit I am pretty concerned...

Celtics coach Doc Rivers said that he was hopeful Shaquille O'Neal would be ready for Game 1 of the team's first round series with the Knicks, but that it was "too early to tell, but I think so (WEEI)."

I don't know about you, but that doesn't make me feel very good. I know they said his latest injury was minor, but he lasted 6 mins last time, and the Celtics really need him to play 18-20 mins a game if they are going to make it to the Finals again. Some people think it would be better if he sat out a little longer, but I disagree. I believe this team needs him now, and he also needs to be on the court before they get to teams like the Heat/Bulls/Lakers.

Another injury that was concerning was Delonte West. Doc Rivers sounded much more optimistic about his return...

"[West] looked good. He felt a lot better toda," Rivers said. "Watching the injury live I was very concerned." A subdued West said prior to Wednesday's game that he had swelling in his ankle where he had previously chipped a bone. "It’s all hands on decks now," West said. "It’s no excuses (WEEI)."

That's good news, because I was really worried when I saw him go down, especially since it was the same ankle he hurt before. The Celtics need him 100% because he is a big part of that 2nd unit. I would much rather have him on the court then Arroyo.

I'll admit I am really nervous about the playoffs, but there is still a big part of me that think Rondo will take his game to the next level. Still, they are going to need Shaq's big body in the middle to make it to the Finals, and that will cause many sleepless nights in Boston.

Shaq to play Sunday

There are a lot of if's and maybe when regarding Shaq coming back on Sunday from Chris Forsberg and Doc Rivers, but I'm proclaiming it a fact here on Dueling Couches that Shaq is 100% playing Sunday against Miami and if he doesn't may god strike me down.

Shaq is a big need. Jermaine has been playing well in limited minutes, so if we can get Shaq to around the 20 minute a game range that would be huge. Because we have 2 defensive centers that can play the whole game. As much as I like Krstic, he hasn't been that great since the first month he was on the team. He looks lost out there and hasn't been nearly as productive as I thought he would be. We are going to need Shaq's big body in there for the playoffs or we could be a second round knockout.

Time To Get Worried About Shaq

If you're a Celtics fan you're already worried about Shaq, but after hearing Doc Rivers on WEEI I am even more worried then I was before...

"Shaquille O'Neal left Sunday's win over the Pistons with a strained right calf muscle. Rivers said Shaq will not play Thursday in Chicago. As for Friday vs. the Wizards: "I doubt it." Sunday vs. the Heat? "Maybe." Said Rivers: "We're going to be very cautious with him. I would like to play him a couple of games, but only if he's feeling great. If not, we'll just wait (WEEI)."

When he first went out with a strained calf the Celtics said he could be back by the end of the week, now it is sounding like that is already being pushed back. The Celtics are running out of time, and I don't know how much I can trust them with his injuries. When he originally got hurt months ago it was supposed to be a week or two, it ended up being months. Now they are saying a week, and I don't know what to think. The good news is Jermaine has looked good, but if the Celtics are going to win it all I believe they are going to need Shaq, and that should scare the shit out of all of us.