Shaq Wants To Play For 3.7 More Years

[The Regime]

Shaquille O'Neal arrived in Cleveland in June amid much fanfare and proclaimed he wanted to "Win a ring for The King."

 

But he came up short as the Cavaliers lost to the Boston Celtics, 94-85, on Thursday night in TD Garden to lose the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals, four games to two.

 

"Obviously everyone is disappointed, but as a person and as a professional, I think I did everything they asked me to do," said O'Neal, who missed the final six weeks of the regular season after tearing a ligament in his right thumb. "I got injured, came back in better shape. I did everything they asked me to do."

 

What he and the Cavs could not do was figure out how to stop the Celtics, from the Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen to point guard Rajon Rondo.

 

"I just think we made too many mistakes," O'Neal said. "Turned the ball over, really had no answer for Rondo at times. He's a great point guard. . . . It starts with defense and our defensive numbers slipped for some reason.

 

"You've to play hard and smart. We gave two games away. Actually three games, we even gave this game away against a veteran team that's really, really playing hard. We made too many mistakes, especially that home game the other day. Very, very disappointing. We had a chance to win it here tonight and we played hard, but we made too many crucial mistakes."

 

That being said, O'Neal still thinks the Cavaliers should be considered title contenders, even if they won't win a title this year.

 

"Definitely," he said. "But there have been a lot of title-contending teams on paper, and you still got to go out and get it done. We didn't go out and get it done. This is a team that could have gotten it done, but it just didn't happen."

 

So, what does happen now? O'Neal is a free agent now and wants to keep playing.

"Of course," he said. "I missed 360 games because of injury in my career, so by my calculations I still have 3.7 years left. That means I'm going to play until I'm 41. I've been here 17 years but I've missed a lot of games, so I still feel I can play this game."

 

He has said he really enjoyed his experience in Cleveland, so he'd consider returning, although many things are undecided at this point, including the status of LeBron James and coach Mike Brown.

 

"There are a lot of free agents on the team," he said. "We just have to sit back and I'm sure everybody's going to do what's best for them."

 

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2010/05/disappointed_shaquille_oneal_w.html

[Cobb]

Would love to see him keep playing. I was hoping this would be the year Cleveland won it all so Shaq would get his ring but that's not happening. It'll be interesting to see where he ends up.

[Make It Naaaashty]

He should GTFO of the NBA, he's not going to going to win [expletive] unless he goes on the Lakers or some other stacked team.

[Cobb]

He should GTFO of the NBA, he's not going to going to win [expletive] unless he goes on the Lakers or some other stacked team.

What has Shaq done to you haha? What's with all the hate man?

[The Truth]

What has Shaq done to you haha? What's with all the hate man?

probably because he's a Suns fan and Shaq sucked for the Suns lol.

 

in the right system, he could still be an effective center in this league.

[Make It Naaaashty]

What has Shaq done to you haha? What's with all the hate man?

 

There's not hate at all. I just think he is way too old to be playing in the NBA and he thinks that he can do damage still which he can't.

Edited May 15, 2010 by Prodigy

[The Regime]

Well at this point in his career he is nothing more than a bench player imo. The Cavs decided to start him, but if I'm a GM I would bring him off the bench. Any team that is looking to add some depth could take a shot at Shaq. Maybe he should just tag along with LeBron, they can be stickies.

[NJNJ]

If the guy wants to keep playing for a few more years or so, might as well let him.

[Clutch]

keep playin shaq...just dont keep talkin trash though..leave all the talkin for when u replace barkley eventually on inside the nba lol

[Check my Stats]

Lol if his name is anything besides Shaquille O'Neal he is out of the NBA, he has no lift at all on that hook shot and hardly ever gets close enough to the hoop to score, he can't manhandle opponents like he used to. Shaq hasn't made a team better since he won a ring on the Heat.

 

He should sign with the Lakers just for a feel good story and log 10-15 minutes a game, he is useless now.

[YugoRocketsFan]

Too bad he cant join the Rockets.

[kingfish]

I thought he said he was retiring after this year. Oh well, I dont think hel be back with the Cavs.

[Real Deal]

Dislike Shaq...but I have to disagree with a few things being said about him, sort of.

 

Is he a liability? Yes, on the defensive end. Offensively, he's still going to give a team 12/6 on a very high field goal percentage, and that's in 25 minutes of play.

 

The biggest problem is the limited minutes and the massive exposure to the pick and roll, but he still commands a double every once in a while, and the fact that he lost weight and wasn't in that bad of shape coming back from that injury...that's telling other GM's that he's still able to produce a double-double here and there, depending on his playing time.

 

At the end of the night, coaches will still have to tell their players to force him away from the rim, and their point guards will still be reluctant to drive hard, in fear of getting TJ Floored.

[MainEv3nt]

There's not hate at all. I just think he is way too old to be playing in the NBA and he thinks that he can do damage still which he can't.

shaq is 38

nash is 36/37

 

just saying.

[Universe]

Thought he should have retired after the Heat ring because then it would have left on a high note. Now you barely hear about him other than for injuries and stupid tv shows.

[YugoRocketsFan]

Mutombo played in the NBA when he was in his 40s, age isnt a factor as long as you can produce.

[Sky]

The more accurate statement is that Shaq wants to get paid for 3.7 more years. Shaq is on the same road that Iverson was, convinced he's a star when his game says he's not. I think the issue will come down to this - will Shaq accept playing for less than double figure money?

 

Shaq's ego is in for a heavy duty humbling this summer. If he gets no offers at 10 or higher how will he react? If only gets offers at the MLE how will he react? He's about to hit the reality pavement. Hard. Will he be so willing to play for four more years if it's only at 5.5 per? I doubt it. His may go into forced retirement due to lack of interest. His ego is not remotely prepared for the body blow of no offers above MLE.

[xx.]

Let him keep playing, he's one of the few players that actually still has a lot of fun every single game he plays. I love Shaq, and so should you.

[Be Like Mike]

so which franchise is Shaq gonna destroy next. Orlando's got a bright future, love Dwight so i hope he goes back to Orlando

[moeroadkill]

^^ u seriously blaming shaq for the cavs loosing?