Miami teammates have Shaq’s back
Shaquille O’Neal’s opinion of Christian Laettner has come full circle.
“I used to hate Christian Laettner,” O’Neal recently deadpanned.
Then they became teammates in Miami, with O’Neal carrying the bulk of the inside load while Laettner and Michael Doleac relieve the 11-time All-Star center from the pounding he takes on the floor. Early results suggest this is a good mix, with the Heat having the most wins in the Eastern Conference.
O’Neal is averaging 20.1 points and 11.2 rebounds for Miami (14-7). He’s getting plenty of rest in most games and is on pace to average what would be a career-low 34 minutes — which would conceivably allow him to be more rested for the playoff grind.
Doleac and Laettner – both free-agent signings during the summer – combined to make 6 of 9 shots, score 14 points and grab 10 rebounds in Miami’s 92-84 win over Memphis on Friday night. The main contributions came from Dwyane Wade (26 points, nine rebounds, nine assists) and O’Neal (20 points), but the work of the backups was duly noted.
“One of the things that has sort of gone unnoticed in the last five games here by people is that our backup big guys are doing a very, very good job for us,” Heat coach Stan Van Gundy said. “We’re getting good play out of Christian and Mike virtually every night.”
The big man is appreciative.
“For the first time in my career, I can feel comfortable about sitting down,” O’Neal said. “These guys are my first true backups. I can get some rest. Mike’s going to put up six to eight (points). Christian’s going to put up six to eight. So as long as those guys keep doing that and remain confident, we’re going to go a long way.”
Delfino out after surgery
Detroit Pistons rookie Carlos Delfino will be sidelined at least 10 days after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.
Delfino, who was on the injured list last month because of his knee, played eight minutes Friday in a loss to Atlanta. He averages 5.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 15.3 minutes as a key reserve.
Delfino scored a season-high 17 points in a loss at Denver. The Pistons drafted him 25th overall in 2003. He spent last season playing in Italy, then helped Argentina win the gold medal at the Athens Olympics.
Brown back with Wizards
Kwame Brown rejoined the Washington Wizards for practice after serving a two-day suspension by the team for refusing to join the huddle during a timeout.
He missed the team’s practice Thursday and the Wizards’ 106-104 victory over the Knicks Friday.
“It was just one of those deals that happened,” Brown said. Wizards coach Eddie Jordan “reacted to me, I reacted and I got suspended. It was a situation that should have never happened. It just escalated and it went out of control.”
Jordan was glad to have Brown back, calling the matter a “blip in the radar screen.”
“He seems to be in good spirits,” Jordan said. “He was active today. He was very attentive. He was sharp. He did some extra work. We had a small talk and everything is great. He’s ready to move on.”