Shaq Leaves Team for Medical Attention

Might this be the beginning of the end? Or is it just a routine medical examination? Shaquille O'Neal did not travel with the team today and is in Los Angeles checking up on his injured hip with a hip specialist. The injury has kept him out of the last five games.

Pat Riley and the Heat insist it's not a big deal and that Shaq should be back in 7-10 days with an optimistic timetable. However, if it was just some average hip pointer or other hip-related injury, then why is Shaq flying across the country for specialized treatment?

It's no secret that O'Neal's game has deteriorated substantially over the past 2 seasons. His effectiveness is extremely limited by his worn down body. At his age and his size, it should be expected that his legs, knees and hips begin to show the effects of wear and tear. His 320+ pound frame puts a huge load of pressure on his lower body, so an average hip injury might easily become a serious issue.

Now, this is all speculation. For all I know, he'll be back to his average self in the near future. However, don't discount the potential problems this might present in the future. I know this is absolutely jumping the gun, but if Shaq were to retire for some reason due to this injury, the Heat could apply for a waiver and receive the cap exemption for his salary next season. Normally, retired players don't need to be paid but still count against the cap until their contract expires.