Incog_Negro
11-16-2006, 06:49 AM
Shaq Now Battling Weakened Muscle
Miami Herald - 11/16 - 4:02 AM EST
Shaquille O'Neal (http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile/144/shaquille_oneal/) is missing some of his left quadriceps muscle, the Miami (http://heat.realgm.com/) Herald is reporting.
O'Neal missed his third game of the season Tuesday, this time with a hyperextended left knee that already had been bruised, and he is suffering from the quadriceps muscle weakening that often is associated with knee injuries.
O'Neal flexed both quads to show the subtle difference in size, and said his left leg feels weaker than his right. To help avoid future injuries to either knee, O'Neal said he has begun to use kneepads with twice as much padding as the previous set he used.
''Today, I ain't got no muscles,'' O'Neal said Wednesday. ``It seems like they're dead.''
Despite the weakness, O'Neal said he would like to return Friday against the Knicks (http://knicks.realgm.com/) because his team needs a leadership and direction he only can provide while playing.
''I want to because we're off-track,'' O'Neal said. 'I've got to be the one to get us on track. Nobody else is going to do it. It's my job and my responsibility. I'm not the type to sit on the sideline and say, `Do this and do that.' I've got to be out there with the guys.''
Miami Herald - 11/16 - 4:02 AM EST
Shaquille O'Neal (http://www.realgm.com/src_playerfile/144/shaquille_oneal/) is missing some of his left quadriceps muscle, the Miami (http://heat.realgm.com/) Herald is reporting.
O'Neal missed his third game of the season Tuesday, this time with a hyperextended left knee that already had been bruised, and he is suffering from the quadriceps muscle weakening that often is associated with knee injuries.
O'Neal flexed both quads to show the subtle difference in size, and said his left leg feels weaker than his right. To help avoid future injuries to either knee, O'Neal said he has begun to use kneepads with twice as much padding as the previous set he used.
''Today, I ain't got no muscles,'' O'Neal said Wednesday. ``It seems like they're dead.''
Despite the weakness, O'Neal said he would like to return Friday against the Knicks (http://knicks.realgm.com/) because his team needs a leadership and direction he only can provide while playing.
''I want to because we're off-track,'' O'Neal said. 'I've got to be the one to get us on track. Nobody else is going to do it. It's my job and my responsibility. I'm not the type to sit on the sideline and say, `Do this and do that.' I've got to be out there with the guys.''