Shaq Travels With Team to Oklahoma City: Will Not Play Tonight

Posted by Brian Robb on Nov 7, 2010 104494 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2010%2F11%2F07%2Fshaq-travels-with-team-to-oklahoma-city%2FShaq+Travels+With+Team+to+Oklahoma+City%3A+Will+Not+Play+Tonight2010-11-07+17%3A26%3A49Brian+Robbhttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D10449

One day after Head coach Doc Rivers questioned Shaquille O’Neal’s availability for the team’s upcoming four game jaunt through the midwest and southeast, Chris Forsberg of ESPNBoston.com passed along the good news that Shaq did indeed make the flight with his teammates to Oklahoma City yesterday.

CSN’s A. Sherrod Blakely is also now reporting Shaq is definitely out for tonight’s contest vs. the Thunder.

The fact of the matter is though this is encouraging news about Shaq’s long-term prognosis. You don’t generally travel with the team if you’re hurt, unless there’s a reasonable chance you will be able to see action at some point on the trip. Thus we will be watching closely to see how Shaq’s right knee responds if he does in fact hit the hardwood.

The team needs to be cautious here, but they could also use Shaq’s big body against some big front lines in Dallas and Memphis this week particularly. Thus, it does not surprise me at all Shaq will be sitting out tonight, against a more mobile Oklahoma City front line that the C’s would likely not use Shaq too much against anyway. No need to risk him if you don’t need him.

Another question to consider here is if the 18-year veteran does suit up, does Doc Rivers insert him back into the starting lineup or bring him off the bench with the injury? My gut says the former….Shaq has clearly been more comfortable playing with the starters thus far, and his offensive abilities are enhanced with a natural point guard like Rajon Rondo. The starters can also better cover up his defensive liabilities.

Still, Jermaine O’Neal had a solid offensive performance Friday night against Chicago (though lacking on the glass). So if he is beginning to develop a little bit of a groove with the starters, it may make Doc think twice about inserting a less than 100 percent Shaq back into the starting five.

The long and the short of it? It probably won’t matter too much, given that if Shaq plays this week, I doubt we will see him more than 15-20 minutes tops in any particular game. Glen Davis will continue to be the guy seeing the major minutes when the games count on this tough trip, the minutes he’s earned with his phenomenal start to the 2010-11 season.

Much more to come today including an OKC preview and recap. Hope everyone enjoyed their extra hour of sleep last night.