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08:08 AM ET 04.01 | While Danny Ainge said in a radio interview Thursday that Shaquille O'Neal could play as soon as Sunday, a report earlier in the day was less optimistic. The Boston Celtics are starting to get worried that [O'Neal's] sabbatical from the game to deal with an assortment of right foot/leg/Achilles tendon continues to take longer than expected. While the goal is to have him suit up before the playoffs, Celtics coach Doc Rivers acknowledged on Thursday that the team has no definitive idea as to when the 7-foot-1 center will be back. "I really hope we can get him before the playoffs," said Rivers, who added that the injury is starting to "get close to bleeding" into the team's postseason plans. While the C's maintain there hasn't been any setback, they do say it has taken longer to heal than anticipated. (Isn't that a setback?)

Shaquille O'Neal, Getty Images

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April 1, 2011 08:16 AM ET

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just be ready by the playoffs....the first round should be enough to get him back to game speed...JO came back last night thats a great sign

Luvher_501

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April 1, 2011 08:24 AM ET

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He'll be back for the playoffs. That's when most injured players like to start earning their paychecks.

P-Dubya

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April 1, 2011 08:25 AM ET

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Shaq, just get better in time for the playoffs please.

ClevelandGuy

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April 1, 2011 08:30 AM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 08:25 AM ET 04.01 by ClevelandGuy

Shaq, just get better in time for the playoffs please.

Yeah... put some icy-hot on whatever "hoyts"

P-Dubya

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Comment #6 has been removed

April 1, 2011 08:40 AM ET

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QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 08:31 AM ET 04.01 by jgb

Even if he cmes back, I just don 't see how he could be in any sort of shape but round and Granted you'd only need him for orlando and LA,.....but I can't see him being a factor

they actually are saying he is in better shape than they have seen him in years...he has lost a lot of weight.....

Luvher_501

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April 1, 2011 08:42 AM ET

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Let's Go SHAQ! stay healthy buddy, if you and everybody else can, we can pull out ONE MORE TITLE!

Ziggy The Fresh…

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April 1, 2011 08:57 AM ET

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QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 08:40 AM ET 04.01 by Luvher_501

they actually are saying he is in better shape than they have seen him in years...he has lost a lot of weight.....

LOL....

K.I.G.

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April 1, 2011 09:12 AM ET

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Just rest and we'll work you in slowly in the first round ....than hopefully you can get some big minutes in round 2

Patriots Go Go…

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April 1, 2011 09:36 AM ET

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QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 08:30 AM ET 04.01 by P-Dubya

Yeah... put some icy-hot on whatever "hoyts"

If only it were that simple...

brotha68

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April 1, 2011 09:37 AM ET

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QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 08:31 AM ET 04.01 by jgb

Even if he cmes back, I just don 't see how he could be in any sort of shape but round and Granted you'd only need him for orlando and LA,.....but I can't see him being a factor

At least, not in a positive way for Boston.

brotha68

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April 1, 2011 09:38 AM ET

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QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 08:34 AM ET 04.01 by MMAFan

Shaq will be ready when it matters.

Yeah, at the buffet table...

brotha68

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April 1, 2011 09:39 AM ET

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QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 08:40 AM ET 04.01 by Luvher_501

they actually are saying he is in better shape than they have seen him in years...he has lost a lot of weight.....

... as if that's gonna be enough.

His production will entail more than weight loss.

He is much older and slower now, his skills have eroded steadily over the last 5+ years.

What is your expectation?

brotha68

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April 1, 2011 09:40 AM ET

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QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 08:57 AM ET 04.01 by K.I.G.

LOL....

That is funny...

... because weight isn't enough.

brotha68

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April 1, 2011 09:41 AM ET

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This is your last dance, Bro.

I Love LA

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April 1, 2011 09:45 AM ET

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This is something I expected when the Celtics made the move to sign Shaq and Jermaine, they won't be around or be a factor when it counts due to health issues and the aging process as a result of the amount of prior games and seasons. Even if Shaq is able to return and give some effort, it will not be enough to win another championship for the Celtics. Shaq's championship seasons are behind him and won't be rebirth again. Lets deal with the reality of the trade of Perkins; what a mistake. Removing Perkins meant taking away a piece of the chemistry and that's why the Celtics don't click during games any more. I knew the thought process behind the trade (getting younger), it probably would have been a move to make after the season, we all knew it had to happen and would happened; just not now.

mdelaneyd45

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April 1, 2011 09:53 AM ET

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QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 08:31 AM ET 04.01 by jgb

Even if he cmes back, I just don 't see how he could be in any sort of shape but round and Granted you'd only need him for orlando and LA,.....but I can't see him being a factor

some times being a factor means just standing in the middle of the lane and making Rose, wade go around you. When it comes to orlando, he has six fouls to give to howard. Shaq will be a factor even if a small one.