After tonights game Shaq has missed the past 6 games. This rest can be coupled with the fact that the All Star break is coming up and make you say, "Yeah.. That's just what he needs! That's some good rest right there!" And I agree, but I disagree. I think the real guy the Celtics need, and the guy who will surely help them get a championship, is the Shaq we saw during the preseason and early in the regular season.

So when I say Shaq needs some serious rest, I mean SERIOUS rest. I'm talking leave this dude out of the lineup (for the most part) until late March or early April. With that I want him to play a few home games here and there, and maybe one road game in Philadelphia or something, but other than that let him sit in the locker room!

This may seem ludicrous but you have to understand the immense differece in capabilities it is from what he was doing when he was completely healthy and where he has been over the past month. Of course it is always impossible for me to find a youtube video of the post moves I want to show to explain what I mean, but maybe you remember? He caught the pass probably 15 feet from the basket, made a move to the baseline, got past his defender and finished with an "and 1". Could he do that now? Not a chance.

The initial signing of Shaq wasn't for the regular season.. It was completely based around how he could help in the playoffs. With that being said, the team should be focused on prepping him for that period of time. It seems every time he comes back he is hit with some nagging injury. I say, keep him active by bringing him into a game every now and then, and then really ramp him up once the end of the season nears to get him ready for the playoffs.

With Perk back we can make this happen a little easier. I say don't play games with Shaq.. Afterall, the guy we saw during the preseason and start of the regular season will be one heck of a guy to have coming off the bench! It's good to think outside the box sometimes, so hopefully Doc will do the same. It only seems like the right thing to do. The C's can win without him now, but will certainly need the 100% Shaq in the postseason.