Suffice to say the “Diesel” Shaquille O’Neal has the weight of the state of Florida on his shoulders as he prepares for game three in Miami tonight. After the worst performance of his career five points on Sunday, 22 in 2 games, 2 for 17 foul shooting and oh yes outrebounded 13-6 by Mavericks Eric Dampier.
Dampier came to the Mavericks three years ago and signed a hefty $70 million contract at which time O’Neal suggested that “Erica” would be a star but he would have to play in the WNBA to do it. Needless to say O’Neal has enjoyed taking shots at the underachieving Dampier the past few seasons, but now it looks like turnaround is fair play!
You only have to look at the rebound total the past two games for Shaq to realize he has been missing in action, as his 13 in two games is 3 short of what Dirk Nowitzkie had in game 2 alone. Big players are supposed to perform in big games and O’Neal has been a bust and it is about time that he showed up ready to play.
That being said regardless of how Shaq and Dwyane Wade do Tuesday night, my gut feeling is that Antoine Walker must go off in a big way if Miami is to narrow the deficit in the series. Walker received a pair of All-Star berths in seven years in Boston, but has seen his role reduced in stints with Dallas, Atlanta and Miami over the last three years!
However, Walker has been a consistent scorer thus far in the Finals. He is averaging 18.5 points while shooting 43 percent (15-of-34) from the field, including 7-of-16 from the arc. He has added 10 rebounds and six assists but also has eight turnovers, including six in Game One.
The Heat are 7-0 in this years playoffs when they score over 100 points and even if Wade and O’Neal combine for 60, they will need major numbers from Walker who is capable of scoring 30+.
If however they lose the board battle, this series is over!
Bob Acton
