duncan228
04-01-2010, 03:54 PM
Shaq Might Return Before the Playoffs (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=tsn-shaqmightreturnbefor&prov=tsn&type=lgns)
SportingNews
It turns out the Cavaliers have been just fine since Shaquille O’Neal went down in late February with a ligament tear in his right thumb. They’re 14-2 without him, in no danger of giving up the top seed in the East, and generally looking like the most playoff-ready team in the whole NBA.
But Dwight Howard still looms in the playoffs, and Diesel is the only player on the Cavs with the bulk to deal with him in the paint. So it’s good news for Clevelanders that Shaq might be back before the end of the regular season (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jdIT33cEc5AMjBK6F2cDbEhMmeLQD9EPUKE00), as reported by the Associated Press:
Looking remarkably fit, O’Neal, who has been out since tearing a ligament in his thumb on Feb. 25 and having surgery, said he plans to resume basketball activities soon. He said his thumb is "good" and that he’s looking forward to getting back on the court.
The Cavs had expected O’Neal to miss the remainder of the regular season, but the iconic superstar sounded as if he might be back before the April 14 finale at Atlanta.
"I will be ready," said O’Neal, who has kept a low profile since getting hurt.
There are a few important things to note here. One is that, as I noted at the time of the injury (http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/The_Baseline/entry/view/57702/cavs_still_in_good_shape_after_shaq_injury), a thumb wouldn’t keep Shaq from working out and keeping off excess weight, and this report on his fitness seems to affirm that.
It’s also noteworthy that, even if Shaq can’t come back before the playoffs, the first round will likely serve as an extended tune-up for the Cavs anyway, as neither Toronto nor Chicago poses much of an upset threat. He can take that time to get himself used to games again without worrying too much about its effect on the final score.
Again, all Shaq really needs to do is make sure he’s prepared for a potential Finals matchup with Howard. That’s what they brought him to Cleveland to do, and every decision he makes from here on out should be focused on that goal.
SportingNews
It turns out the Cavaliers have been just fine since Shaquille O’Neal went down in late February with a ligament tear in his right thumb. They’re 14-2 without him, in no danger of giving up the top seed in the East, and generally looking like the most playoff-ready team in the whole NBA.
But Dwight Howard still looms in the playoffs, and Diesel is the only player on the Cavs with the bulk to deal with him in the paint. So it’s good news for Clevelanders that Shaq might be back before the end of the regular season (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jdIT33cEc5AMjBK6F2cDbEhMmeLQD9EPUKE00), as reported by the Associated Press:
Looking remarkably fit, O’Neal, who has been out since tearing a ligament in his thumb on Feb. 25 and having surgery, said he plans to resume basketball activities soon. He said his thumb is "good" and that he’s looking forward to getting back on the court.
The Cavs had expected O’Neal to miss the remainder of the regular season, but the iconic superstar sounded as if he might be back before the April 14 finale at Atlanta.
"I will be ready," said O’Neal, who has kept a low profile since getting hurt.
There are a few important things to note here. One is that, as I noted at the time of the injury (http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/The_Baseline/entry/view/57702/cavs_still_in_good_shape_after_shaq_injury), a thumb wouldn’t keep Shaq from working out and keeping off excess weight, and this report on his fitness seems to affirm that.
It’s also noteworthy that, even if Shaq can’t come back before the playoffs, the first round will likely serve as an extended tune-up for the Cavs anyway, as neither Toronto nor Chicago poses much of an upset threat. He can take that time to get himself used to games again without worrying too much about its effect on the final score.
Again, all Shaq really needs to do is make sure he’s prepared for a potential Finals matchup with Howard. That’s what they brought him to Cleveland to do, and every decision he makes from here on out should be focused on that goal.