For the last couple of years we have seen a decline in talent form Shaq. He would like to tell everyone that the playoffs is what counts and he paces himself during the regular season so he can "flip the switch" for the playoff run.

Kobe called him fat and out of shape even when they were winning championships and Shaq was dominating. Now he is in the best shape of his life, so he says, but gasping for air it seems in the 2nd half of games.

Points, rebounds, MPG, all have decreased, and after 10+ years it is now a foul for Shaq`s defender(s) head and face to come into contact with his elbow(s) and arms!!! WOW!

Just last night Wade had to come to the rescue of the Heat in a must win game 5 of the Finals, because Shaq just couldn`t get it done for whatever reason.

How many years does Shaq have left and how effective can he be for the remainder of his career?

This is a big question for our Pistons. Let us see how this series concludes. He is not done for us. We cannot let him abuse Ben and beat that team. On the other hand, he looks spent now versus Dallas. It is like he gave what he had to beat the Pistons. If the Heat go down, the Shaq era may be over as far as championships. But I want to see that first.

I remember how fast Patrick Ewing and Hakeem Olajuwon declined. They were fine up until around age 36 and then it was very noticable. We saw Olajuan in the 2002 playoffs against Toronto. Ewing did have a bad knee. Then there are other guys like Robert Parish and Kareem Abdul-Jabaar who were still in their prime until age 40.

With Shaq's size I would think he could be dominate well past his prime but he has been slowing down and he perhaps needs more help out of his frontline to deflect double teams. The guys they have Haslim, Walker are kind of marshmellows. For the next 2 seaons at least Shaq will be hard to matchup against and his defense seems pretty good.

All those other seven footers played a lot lighter. And I suspect took better care of their bodies for a longer portion of their careers. None of them are listed as playing at more than 267, which probably isn't all that accurate, but still, it's a long way from Shaq.

I'd like to see him play longer, but I'm afraid it is going to be more frequent and more serious injuries until he has to walk away. I think the breakdown will come quickly when it comes.

I said this was probably Miami's last shot with Shaq. I think the diesel fuel is starting to run low.

It would be really interesting to see how Riles would change the team if both Shaq and Zo were to retire at the same time. Go for the lottery and hope? Trade Wade?

We might have that opportunity if the Mavs come back to form. Course, Riles could find the lure of retirement pretty enticing too if the big guy were to sit down.

I don't see Shaq leaving 60+ million on the table.

He is already breaking down. He's not able to run like he once could. He's not a 38 MPG player anymore.

Shaq will be back because without basketball and the stage it affords, he's really nothing.

Shaq will be back because without basketball and the stage it affords, he's really nothing.

America is all about celebrity and Shaq is a larger than life celebrity. People who don't know about and don't care about basketball know who Shaq is. I think he can stay on the stage for quite a while after he retires from playing basketball. Plus, he's got that whole law enforcement thing going on which he can turn into further celebrity. Reality shows, whatever.

My rookie season as a fan was our championship season against the Lakers. I wasn't too impressed with Shaq watching him, although everyone told me that I should have been. To me this year was way better than his last year with the Lakers. I had never seen him move as well or as quickly as this playoff season.

I'm really really tired of the Shaq hype though. I won't miss that at all when he finally goes.

Shaq is a good dude. He got a law enforcement degree and badge. And I'm sure he has lots of charities that he gives to sight unseen as a lot of players do.
...That said, I hope one of knee caps leaps up into his thigh ala "Roundmound of Rebound".
I think I would get more pleasure knowing Riles knows his millions are going to waste. Than seeing another Texas team take a 'ship.
As for my prediction of "Heat in 5", it's safe to assume I didn't know what I was talking about.

His dominance maybe done, but he iis still a force to be reckond with if a team cannot find a way to handle him.

One thing Shaq would like is 7 rings. One more than Mike and proof that he could get four with Wade etal (or one more than he got with Kobe).

If the Heat don't comeback and win this one next week, then I think he will give up that hope but play at least 2 more years to fulfill his promise to the City of Miami that he would bring them at least one championship.

No matter when he decides to leave, there would be a public outcry of "Shaq don't leave" as some folks think some players can play forever. He may be in decent shape right now, but I don't think his big body can sustain the NBA 82 game schedule for more than two more seasons. He is real popular in some circles and the player you love to hate in others. The sports media folks would miss him the most though..

Because he is the so called master of the soundbite, there would be an immediate bidding war between ABC/ESPN and TNT to put him as the third "color" man broadcasting playoff games on the sidelines. Notice I said third man ala Walton, as he would not be able to keep up making any play by play color comments:laugh:

Plus, he's got that whole law enforcement thing going on which he can turn into further celebrity. Reality shows, whatever.
Oh you could be way too close to right with that. Come on graphics guys, can you fit Shaq, an extra large police car, and that many jelly donuts into a picture that will fit in pistonsforum?


As for my prediction of "Heat in 5", it's safe to assume I didn't know what I was talking about.
Six?

All that weight is going to catch up to him. He'll be there next year in miami. He won't be a force like he used to be, but he's still a big force right now. Joe has to be smart and get us some size and Flip needs to play that guy a long with the rest of the bench. Ben is just too small. If we do get this 7 footer we can keep Ben halfway between the man he's gaurding and Shaq. Ben can kind of roll beack and forth and front Shaq to prevent him from getting the ball. If we do this we have to make sure Ben isn't gauring a guy who can stretch the defense though.

Six?
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Mavs in 7, via 2 blowouts. HCA!!!!