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Do IT this week: Layering
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal sports writer
POSTED: 09:28 p.m. EST, Nov 23, 2009
INDEPENDENCE: Times have changed for Shaquille O'Neal.
When he was younger, he often took a shot of cortisone to treat an injury such as the shoulder strain that has sidelined him for the past five games.
The Cavaliers resisted that option with their 37-year-old center, preferring to let his shoulder heal rather than mask the pain and allow him to play with the injury.
''I was cursing and screaming and trying to get them to shoot me up, but they wouldn't do it,'' O'Neal said. ''You can tell it's a good organization: They told me no. They had me do it through regular rehab.''
Cavs coach Mike Brown said it's a matter of looking out for players and their long-term interests.
'''We don't want to rush anyone back,'' he said. ''We understand this is a business for them. They have families to take care of and there's no need to rush them back out there without them doing right.''
That patience is close to paying off. On Monday, O'Neal practiced with the Cavs for the first time in more than a week, and he expects to play Wednesday night against the Detroit Pistons in Auburn Hills, Mich.
Although they won four of the five games O'Neal missed, the Cavs suffered in his absence. They gave up an average of 40.3 points in the paint in those five games and opposing players found a much easier path to the rim.
''Shaq makes it tough for people just to drive down there easily,'' Cavs forward Jamario Moon said. ''You don't make those easy layups. We're really looking forward to him getting back on the court and helping us out.''
It could take some time for O'Neal to get back in the flow, but he is not concerned. ''We just have to go out and keep moving the ball and keep playing team ball,'' he said.
Brown acknowledged that not being as crisp is always a possibility, but he trusts that O'Neal and his teammates will handle the situation.
''He's a veteran guy,'' Brown said. ''He's got a great feel for the game and that's what makes it a positive that we think he'll step right in and not necessarily miss a beat.''
That remains to be seen, given that the Cavs had their struggles meshing before O'Neal's injury. But the player Brown refers to as ''the Big Fella'' said that comfort isn't a worry.
''I just know it will really be nice for us to be comfortable around April or May going into the playoffs,'' O'Neal said. ''I wasn't really concerned about how we started.''
There was a bright side to O'Neal's absence. The Cavs learned to play without him and they learned as they battled fast-paced teams such as the Golden State Warriors and more traditional teams such as the Utah Jazz that they could play teams with diverse styles.
''It's a positive any time you can play different styles,'' Brown said.
James tops week
LeBron James was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week. In four games, he averaged 34.3 points on 58 percent shooting, 5.8 rebounds and 9.2 assists in 37.5 minutes per game. He was the only Eastern Conference player to score 30 or more points in each of his games last week. The Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant was chosen Western Conference Player of the Week.
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohio.com/thomas. Follow Cavs coverage on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cavsabj and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CavsABJ
INDEPENDENCE: Times have changed for Shaquille O'Neal.
When he was younger, he often took a shot of cortisone to treat an injury such as the shoulder strain that has sidelined him for the past five games.
The Cavaliers resisted that option with their 37-year-old center, preferring to let his shoulder heal rather than mask the pain and allow him to play with the injury.
''I was cursing and screaming and trying to get them to shoot me up, but they wouldn't do it,'' O'Neal said. ''You can tell it's a good organization: They told me no. They had me do it through regular rehab.''
Cavs coach Mike Brown said it's a matter of looking out for players and their long-term interests.
'''We don't want to rush anyone back,'' he said. ''We understand this is a business for them. They have families to take care of and there's no need to rush them back out there without them doing right.''
That patience is close to paying off. On Monday, O'Neal practiced with the Cavs for the first time in more than a week, and he expects to play Wednesday night against the Detroit Pistons in Auburn Hills, Mich.
Although they won four of the five games O'Neal missed, the Cavs suffered in his absence. They gave up an average of 40.3 points in the paint in those five games and opposing players found a much easier path to the rim.
''Shaq makes it tough for people just to drive down there easily,'' Cavs forward Jamario Moon said. ''You don't make those easy layups. We're really looking forward to him getting back on the court and helping us out.''
It could take some time for O'Neal to get back in the flow, but he is not concerned. ''We just have to go out and keep moving the ball and keep playing team ball,'' he said.
Brown acknowledged that not being as crisp is always a possibility, but he trusts that O'Neal and his teammates will handle the situation.
''He's a veteran guy,'' Brown said. ''He's got a great feel for the game and that's what makes it a positive that we think he'll step right in and not necessarily miss a beat.''
That remains to be seen, given that the Cavs had their struggles meshing before O'Neal's injury. But the player Brown refers to as ''the Big Fella'' said that comfort isn't a worry.
''I just know it will really be nice for us to be comfortable around April or May going into the playoffs,'' O'Neal said. ''I wasn't really concerned about how we started.''
There was a bright side to O'Neal's absence. The Cavs learned to play without him and they learned as they battled fast-paced teams such as the Golden State Warriors and more traditional teams such as the Utah Jazz that they could play teams with diverse styles.
''It's a positive any time you can play different styles,'' Brown said.
James tops week
LeBron James was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week. In four games, he averaged 34.3 points on 58 percent shooting, 5.8 rebounds and 9.2 assists in 37.5 minutes per game. He was the only Eastern Conference player to score 30 or more points in each of his games last week. The Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant was chosen Western Conference Player of the Week.
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohio.com/thomas. Follow Cavs coverage on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cavsabj and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CavsABJ
Comments
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Akron, OH
Posted 06:38 AM, 11/24/2009
Finally, after some 16 years in the league, Shaq-a-saurus is getting some much deserved medical attention? Nah, this is just some line of BS. Shaq is lazy anymore, and hasn't played in back 2 back games since the late 90's. I'm more concerned with the teams new found dependency on him to provide a "dominant presence" in the post. What the hell have they been doing for the last 4 years without him? Holding teams to under 100 pts, that's what. Now it seems they're incapable of playing defense without him. Odd, huh?
I'm sorry Cleveland, Shaq isn't the answer to LeBron's woes. No title for the Cavs, no LeBron after this year . . . .
Posted 08:17 AM, 11/24/2009
Mr.Hyde77 - thanks for rolling out of bed to post your depressing opinion for everyone.
I on the other hand don't see their dependency. I believe they went 5 and 2 without Shaq and, could have won all 7.
Unless Lebron goes to Miami, or LA who can't afford him, where is it you think he's going?
Knicks are 3-9
Nets are 0-12..
cleveland, oh
Posted 09:42 AM, 11/24/2009
loser comment !
Lefty Lemmingville, Oh
Posted 08:18 AM, 11/26/2009
And the "brick" returns.
