Author: Inside Hoops

InsideHoops.com has been a world leader in NBA basketball coverage for over 20 years. Read our blog, but also be sure to read our main website on www.insidehoops.com

Is Shaq all washed up?

The Heat aren’t expected to do much until Dwyane Wade returns from injury, which should be this month, but even so, they are playing even worse than expected. A huge factor is Shaquille O’Neal playing like he’s ready to retire any second.

We’re just four games into the 2007-08 season but in 30 minutes per game Shaq is putting up 12.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks.

That’s about the same production Mark Blount put up for the Timberwolves last season.

Shaq is also averaging 4.5 fouls per game, a lot considering his modest playing time so far.

Will Shaq be a bigger, poor man’s Blount by the end of this season? Or sooner? The horror.

Doc Rivers back with Celtics after death of father

Sad spirits in Boston as head coach Doc Rivers recently lost his father. The AP reports:

Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers has rejoined the team after flying to Chicago to be with family following the death of his father.

Rivers said he planned to coach the Celtics in Wednesday night’s home game against the Denver Nuggets and Friday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks. He then planned to return to Chicago.

The Celtics  played at home today where they destroyed the  Nuggets.

Matt Barnes has a dislocated finger

Golden State Warriors swingman Matt Barnes, who is only playing 18 minutes per game this season so far, has a dislocated finger. The AP reports:

Barnes, who missed Wednesday’s practice, dislocated the knuckle on the ring finger of his right hand. The injury could sideline him when Golden State hosts Dallas on Thursday night in a rematch of last season’s playoff shocker, when the Warriors became the first No. 8 seed to beat a No. 1 seed.

The Warriors are off to a winless start to the 2007-08 season.

Despite being 58 years old Sam Cassell scores 35

Gotta love Clippers point guard Sam Cassell, still scoring in the face of defenders. The AP reports:

Sam Cassell scored 35 points to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 104-89 win over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night in a matchup of unbeaten teams.

Cassell was 13-for-20 from the field to tie his highest point total since he joined the Clippers in 2005.

The Clippers and Pacers were both surprise early success stories and came into this game undefeated.

Hedo Turkoglu gets career-high 15 rebounds

Turkoglu made history, for himself, in helping the Magic beat the Raptors. The AP Reports:

Hedo Turkoglu had 24 points and a career-high 15 rebounds, Rashard Lewis scored 24 points, and the Orlando Magic beat the Toronto Raptors 105-96 on Wednesday night.

For the season, which is still very young, he’s averaging 20 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 35 minutes per game.