Doc was blunt and upfront with Shaq about his role

[JoeSixPat]

This is a good read, and leaves me feeling pretty good about what the Doc is and isn't expecting from Shaq, as well as the fact that Shaq's good attitude will fit well here.

Shaq’s visit to Doc (Rivers) was right medicine - The Boston Globe

He told O’Neal he may not start. He told O’Neal his skills had declined, so touches won’t be a priority. He told O’Neal he was a liability on pick-and-roll defense. O’Neal sat there with a blank expression, and Rivers thought there was no chance of a deal getting done. There was no way O’Neal would accept that type of criticism and accept a minimum salary as well.

Rivers established that O’Neal would stick to setting screens and bumping opponents off the block, not managing his minutes. If there is one thing the coach has exhibited in his time in Boston, it’s that he isn’t afraid to level with players, who have very few honest people in their circle. That’s why he has garnered so much respect around the league.

And that’s why this whole thing just might work.

Doc affirms what most of us recognized as Shaq's weaknesses (no surprise), though I was surprised that Doc was so upfront about Shaq's role in discussions with the media.

How Doc uses Shaq's remaining considerable strengths, and covers up his weaknesses is one part of the puzzle that's going to be very interesting.

It will be interesting to see how age and wisdom stand up against the youth in Miami this season and in the playoffs.

 

[DarrylStingley]

Good job by Doc.

Anyone else notice that Rondo and Ray have weighed in positively, and that KG was at the presser....and no word at all from Paul Pierce?

Is this a coincidence?

 

[Kontradiction]

It will be interesting to see how age and wisdom stand up against the youth in Miami this season and in the playoffs.

Probably not very well.

Regardless, though, this was a good move by the Celtics. There is no way in hell that Jermaine O'Neal should be a starting center for ANYBODY in this league. Shaq will be good for you guys on the boards, can set picks, and can still play some defense. He'll make the time that it takes for Perkins to heal up go by that much quicker.

 

[Disco Volante]

Who the hell is giving random threads one star?

 

[DarrylStingley]

Good job by Doc.

Anyone else notice that Rondo and Ray have weighed in positively, and that KG was at the presser....and no word at all from Paul Pierce?

Is this a coincidence?

Answer: Yes. Pierce was recently quoted with positive remarks about Shaq.

Said differently, never mind.