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Sports InsiderShaq Reaches a Magical Milestone.
December 8th 2007 14:14
Let’s all stand up and give Shaquille O’Neal some loud applause for reaching 1000 games
played in the NBA. Unfortunately for the daddy this was the high point because his Miami Heat team lost to the Golden State Warriors, 120-113.
In a sign of how much the Diesel had fallen, he took only six shots in the game, and sat out for the entire fourth quarter – a decision that coach Pat Riley would later say he regretted. Shaq recently complained about the fact that he wasn’t getting enough shots, today’s game would be more ammunition for O’Neal to complain about the lack of touches he has been getting.
Shaq is without a doubt one of the most dominant and best big men to play the game, ever. There isn’t even any point arguing the aforementioned statement. However, even the great ones can’t escape the ravages of time and Shaq is another athlete on the long list of superstars that can’t seem to recapture past glories.
Anyone who is new to the joys of the greatest sport on earth, and has watched, O’Neal play in recent years would be hard pressed to see what made him so dominant. If you are seeking proof to how good, Shaq once was, watch Orlando’s Dwight Howard play and you’ll get the idea.
Well, speak of the devil – Howard and his Magic teammates played host to the Indiana Pacers but the visitors weren’t great guests when they beat Orlando, 115-109.
Indiana has been average this season, while Orlando has been playing super basketball and this seemed like a one-sided affair, but the Pacers had other ideas. Danny Granger led the way for Indy with 27 points, and, 20, from Jamaal Tinsley also helped the cause.
Dwight Howard, who resembles a young Shaq in the way he plays, had another awesome game with 30 points and 15 rebounds, but his team was horrendous in protecting the ball – turning it over 23 times. Orlando was also poor in their defensive efforts allowing the Pacers to shoot 48.8 percent from the field in the second half. Ouch.
Orlando weren’t the only other leading Eastern Conference team to fail in defending their home, with the Detroit Pistons joining them in getting beaten by a supposedly inferior team.
Ben Wallace, the former heart and soul for Detroit, tormented his old team with a blue collar 10 point and 13 rebound effort. Big Ben got some help from the high energy Argentinean, Andres Nocioni with 22 points, 17 coming in the final two quarters.
Chicago played irrepressible basketball and one has to wonder where has their game been all year?
Speaking of crazy Argentineans, Manu Ginobili once again proved his immense value to the San Antonio Spurs scoring 37 points coming off the bench. Who needs Tim Duncan, when you have El Loco running the show?
The Utah Jazz were the unfortunate victims of the Ginobili show, going down to the Spurs, 104-98.
Performance of the Day.
Holla, for Chris Paul from the New Orleans Hornets who is fast becoming the star point guard of the new generation. Well, let’s not forget about Deron Williams for the Jazz, but it was Paul’s day.
Young, Chris had a standout performance scoring 43 points, and dishing off nine dimes to lead his team to an overtime victory against the Memphis Grizzlies, 118-116.
With 1.8 seconds left in the contest, Chris weaved his way through a crowded lane to hit the go ahead layup to give his team the win.
Warm it up, Chris. He’s about to.
Today’s video is of the freshest top 10 plays from the NBA.
Congratulations Shaq on reaching 1000 games. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
In a sign of how much the Diesel had fallen, he took only six shots in the game, and sat out for the entire fourth quarter – a decision that coach Pat Riley would later say he regretted. Shaq recently complained about the fact that he wasn’t getting enough shots, today’s game would be more ammunition for O’Neal to complain about the lack of touches he has been getting.
Shaq is without a doubt one of the most dominant and best big men to play the game, ever. There isn’t even any point arguing the aforementioned statement. However, even the great ones can’t escape the ravages of time and Shaq is another athlete on the long list of superstars that can’t seem to recapture past glories.
Anyone who is new to the joys of the greatest sport on earth, and has watched, O’Neal play in recent years would be hard pressed to see what made him so dominant. If you are seeking proof to how good, Shaq once was, watch Orlando’s Dwight Howard play and you’ll get the idea.
Well, speak of the devil – Howard and his Magic teammates played host to the Indiana Pacers but the visitors weren’t great guests when they beat Orlando, 115-109.
Indiana has been average this season, while Orlando has been playing super basketball and this seemed like a one-sided affair, but the Pacers had other ideas. Danny Granger led the way for Indy with 27 points, and, 20, from Jamaal Tinsley also helped the cause.
Dwight Howard, who resembles a young Shaq in the way he plays, had another awesome game with 30 points and 15 rebounds, but his team was horrendous in protecting the ball – turning it over 23 times. Orlando was also poor in their defensive efforts allowing the Pacers to shoot 48.8 percent from the field in the second half. Ouch.
Chris Paul has the whole world in his hands. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Ben Wallace, the former heart and soul for Detroit, tormented his old team with a blue collar 10 point and 13 rebound effort. Big Ben got some help from the high energy Argentinean, Andres Nocioni with 22 points, 17 coming in the final two quarters.
Chicago played irrepressible basketball and one has to wonder where has their game been all year?
Speaking of crazy Argentineans, Manu Ginobili once again proved his immense value to the San Antonio Spurs scoring 37 points coming off the bench. Who needs Tim Duncan, when you have El Loco running the show?
The Utah Jazz were the unfortunate victims of the Ginobili show, going down to the Spurs, 104-98.
Performance of the Day.
Holla, for Chris Paul from the New Orleans Hornets who is fast becoming the star point guard of the new generation. Well, let’s not forget about Deron Williams for the Jazz, but it was Paul’s day.
Young, Chris had a standout performance scoring 43 points, and dishing off nine dimes to lead his team to an overtime victory against the Memphis Grizzlies, 118-116.
With 1.8 seconds left in the contest, Chris weaved his way through a crowded lane to hit the go ahead layup to give his team the win.
Warm it up, Chris. He’s about to.
Today’s video is of the freshest top 10 plays from the NBA.
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