Shaq done for the season?

Shaq Done for the Season

BY HAIME GONZALEZ

hgonzalez@herald.com


MIAMI - It's tough to see a player go down with a season ending (and possibly career ending) injury. That's what Heat fans had to endure while watching a game against the Chicago Bulls. In the opening minutes of Tuesdays contest, Shaquille O'Neal went crashing to the floor and immediately grabbed his left knee.

O'Neal spent about two minutes on the floor before finally getting up with the help of teammates. He walked off the floor under his own power but put little weight on his left leg.

The injury was initially diagnosed as a strained left knee, but further evaluations revealed the true extent of the injury, and the Heat could be forced to play a lot more games like the 105-101 overtime loss to Chicago.

Team physicians confirmed that Shaquille O'Neal has suffered a torn ligament in his left knee, which will force Shaq out for the remainder of the season. O'Neal was not immediately available for comment, although a press conference is scheduled later today which will officially announce the Heats' loss.

Dwane Wade, the Heats' other star player, was available for comment and offered comfort to both O'Neal and Heat fans.

'The next few months will be a challenge for us all and we hope for the speedy recovery of our big guy in the middle. Times like this can bring a team closer together, so I want the fans to know that we see it through these tough times and still go on as expected. Shaq has been a big part of our success, but we feel that our level of play has been taken to another level, so we expect to continue our winning ways. With some luck, Shaq could return late in the playoffs. Get well soon, big guy.'' Wade said.

Despite Wade's encouraging message, the injury could keep the Heat from going very far in the playoffs, should O'Neal's knee be fully recovered in time for the conference finals. For now, Heat fans will have to hope that their other shining star can carry the team in a way similar to last years amazing playoff run.

As much as I dislike him, its sad to see him get injured for the remainder of the season. Funny that I said a few months back that Shaq will probably miss 40 games or something.

btw: Link

kobe must be the happiest man alive right now

wow that would be pretty shitty if kobe was happy that someone sustained an injury like that. ah well. i hope the big fella isn't out for the year. wow- looks like detroit is the team to beat again in the eastern conf.

Ohyeah, I forgot that Kobe might not dunk on Shaq this season because of the injury

Forget your Heat championship this year.. It won't happen.

Wouldnt happen anyway if he was healthy.

Forget your Heat championship this year.. It won't happen.

Shaq could pull a TO.

Wouldnt happen anyway if he was healthy.

can you explain this one to me why? no smartass comments or one liners please

Because the Spurs will get it over the Heat.

The link is down.

It looks like it was a fake article, NBC also claimed that Shaq was out for the season but later apoligized because it was not confirmed.

LOL that really explained it well. thanks

othella is quite the big man slayer- do the bulls play the spurs anytime soon?

Both the Heat and Perry Rogers, O'Neal's agent, denied a report Wednesday that said the center is out for the season with a left knee injury, the Palm Beach Post reports. Heat spokesman Tim Donovan said the report is erroneous and said that O'Neal isn't scheduled to have a MRI on his knee until Thursday. We'll keep you posted on this situation, but for now, Shaq owners have a reprieve.

Ohyeah, I forgot that Kobe might not dunk on Shaq this season because of the injury

Grr, now Shaq can't block Kobe's dunks anymore this season

Anyway, sucky for Shaq. I never thought he'd be injured for the season since he never missed a single playoff series (I'm assuming). That sucks big time for Miami, so will it be Detroit again? Will Indiana shrug off the slump?

The article was proved to be nothing factual, just assumtions by a reporter...

damn. i wanna see the heat kick the nets ass in the playoffs (if the nets make it). that's right, i'm a jason kidd, vince carter, kenyon martin (even though he's in denver), and richard jefferson hater.

(N) to Haime Gonzalez.

Update: "I feel good." - Shaq

Inury Not Deemed Serious

Some sloppy journalism there. Good to hear that the injury might not be as bad as (falsely) reported.

I wouldn't jump to conclusions yet...but we'll find out Thursday.




Doesn't look too good.

Well, this is bad yet good timing for this injury. Bad obviously because it's the playoff push, but good in a sense that Miami will be getting Alonzo Mourning soon. I know that might not mean much, but what if he comes out and does a good job in Shaq spot? things would be interesting when shaq returns then.
18points/10rebounds would be good enough for alzono in maybe 30min a game

It would be interesting, but its not like it will be a quarterback controversy. When shaq gets back, Alonzo will be alongside him.

it won't be like a quarterback controversy, but rather than bench him just put him at PF and you have a serious 1-2 combo up front having block parties like the pistons did..

then again off the bench won't be too bad since it gives shaq some rest and possibly extended his career a couple years

but that has nothing to do with the fact that the pacers beat them tonight

it was a close game , but if shaq was their it wouldve been an easy win for the heat . for a second i thought Flash got injured he took a hard hit.