Shaquille O’Neal Upset With Playing Time?
Despite a stellar performance through the first 3 quarters, Shaq barely saw the floor in the 4th quarter in Boston yesterday, and there were indications that he was less than pleased. Teammate LeBron James was also surprised by the coaching staff’s decision to keep the big fella on the bench: “Shaquille O’Neal played his best playoff game yet in a Cavaliers uniform and finally looks as if he’s finding his rhythm after nine postseason games. He scored 17 points, pulled in six rebounds and blocked two shots in Game 4 against the Boston Celtics on Sunday. He also barely played in the fourth quarter after getting his fifth foul with 11:11 left in the game. From that point on, the Cavs didn’t play the same, as an emboldened Celtics team went on an 8-0 run immediately after his removal from the game. But why didn’t he return? ‘Shaq played extremely well and I think it’s kind of surprising that we didn’t see him back on the floor the entire fourth quarter,’ LeBron James said after the 97-87 loss. Indeed, O’Neal proved effective offensively, but in other ways, as well. Early in the game, he was responsible for drawing fouls from Celtics defenders, a fact that put them in trouble and put him at the line 11 times in the game. But his absence in the fourth gave point guard Rajon Rondo, who was already having a game that will be emblazoned in Celtics lore, the space he needed to continue his torrid pace. With the middle freed up, the Celtics became much more active.”
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As for in game adjustments don’t you think he has all the same help? Same advice?
But there’s a reason he has the title head coach, and that’s because he’s the guy in charge of the team. He’s the guy responsible for the things that work right and the things that work wrong – no matter who suggests them. He has to act on the right ideas, and ignore the ones that are going to make things worse or hurt confidence/moral. Not an easy balancing act when dealing with so many super-egos.
Anyway, a big factor with game #3 is how much practice and video time was available before the game. Frankly, the Cavs never got their starting 5 and rotations in to high gear this season, and it’s still a work in progress. Multiple days are often needed to make major adjustments and we were very fortunate to have the time; but all the credit in the world has to given to the staff and players for getting it done.
So yes, in game adjustments have been a weakness of Mike’s as he’s used to breaking things down on tape, and how he needs to “look at the tape” before he’ll even comment on what went wrong in a game. This is actually a topic I brought up long, long ago, and I do believe I nailed it. Unfortunately, this has been drummed in to fans head like a mantra to the point they don’t even recognize when he actually makes an effective in-game adjustment – or ignorantly write it off because as it turns out someone else on the team suggested it – and silly Mike goes and credits them.
Mike has a number of strengths including his LACK of stubbornness as evidenced by his willingness to accept input from others; but his biggest strength is likely his ability to help a team fight through adversity, which he demonstrated under the worst possible circumstances after the Palace Brawl and again in preparing the team for game #3. He did not lose the team, they did not devolve in to bickering and pointing fingers, they simply rebounded and dropped the biggest playoff win ever .vs. the supposedly rejuvenated and well rested C’s right on their home floor.
With the season and ultimately his job at stake, he delivered. End of story.
GIMPS
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