Thu Feb 24, 2005 7:11 am
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.
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refuze wrote:Forget your Heat championship this year.. It won't happen.
Thu Feb 24, 2005 7:38 am
K0be4mvp wrote:Wouldnt happen anyway if he was healthy.
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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.
Thu Feb 24, 2005 9:15 am
K0be4mvp wrote:Ohyeah, I forgot that Kobe might not dunk on Shaq this season because of the injury
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