Breaking News: Shaq to Boston is official
And the rich keep getting richer. To sum up how the last three years have gone in Boston, one of the Celtics fans in the office just learned that his team basically got Shaquille O’Neal for free, and his reaction amounted to “Eh.”
After sitting available on the free-agent market longer than anyone expected, Shaq officially agreed to terms with the Celtics today. While terms were not disclosed, it’s believed to be a 1-year contract worth $1.4 million.
“It is not every day that you can add a player of Shaquille’s caliber to your team,” said Celtics exec Danny Ainge. “His past experience speaks for itself and we believe that he is a great fit for our roster.”
Shaq was supposed to be the final puzzle piece in Cleveland’s championship run last year, but injuries limited him to just 53 games in the regular season, and in the playoffs he averaged 11.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in only 22 minutes a night.
“I am honored to be joining the Celtics,” Shaq said. “I have played against Paul, Ray, Kevin, Rajon and Jermaine for many years and it will be great to be able to call them my teammates. I cannot wait to get to Boston to get started in pursuit of another championship.”
The Celtics already signed center Jermaine O’Neal this offseason, and regular starter Kendrick Perkins should return from an ACL injury around February. Word is the Celtics want Shaq to come off the bench, but don’t be surprised if he’s on the court for tip-off Opening Night.
What do you think? Good move for the Celtics?
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August 4th, 2010 at 5:26 pm
dlee says:
first!
August 4th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
That's What's Up says:
The Big Leprechaun is gonna help the Celtics out.
it’s not like they were a running team anyway
August 4th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
LakeShow84 says:
yep he gives them offense at the 5 spot..
Shit they can run their offense through him at the 5 really..
And like ThatsWaddup said they already were a halfcourt team so if anything they’ll lose a bit in transition D but Doc is a smart coach he’ll kno the matchups he wants..
i also expect him to pick up less fouls and get away with his usual clobbers even more frequently under the green mystique BS..
August 4th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
Chuck says:
@ That’s What’s Up
He’ll help if he comes to camp in shape and ready to listen to Doc rivers, but me and you know Shaq never arrives to camp in Shape, he doesn’t feel he has to for some reason and then wonders why he stays injured this late in his career.
August 4th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
yoda says:
can’t believe that shaq went to boston.
August 4th, 2010 at 5:37 pm
LakeShow84 says:
And for the record F#$K the Boston Celtics..
August 4th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
sh!tfaced says:
Shaq and Ray… got a good feeling those two old farts will do a lot of damage with their natural chemistry…
August 4th, 2010 at 5:42 pm
atticusmitch says:
I thought they learned from Sheed. Old bigs dont amount to anything.
August 4th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
D.I. Dollar says:
The ULTIMATE Ring Chaser.
He can’t stand that Kobe has more than him.
August 4th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
Stunnaboy09 says:
Fuck the Lakers
But really Shaq and J.O. gives us low post offense we needed and I’m gonna love seeing Rondo tossing up lobs to the big Leprachaun.
August 4th, 2010 at 6:03 pm
Heckler says:
blackathlete.com is reporting that Shaquille O’Neal is going to wear #36.
is that true?
August 4th, 2010 at 6:03 pm
ProphetGK says:
are they trying to make the oldest team in league history?
August 4th, 2010 at 6:07 pm
MJ3008 says:
It’s lose-lose for Shaq – what’s he supposed to do, not sign with a contender just so he’s not called “a ring chaser”? Who SHOULD he sign with then
August 4th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
Smitty012@twitter says:
Miami heat are gonna run on them
August 4th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
Heckler says:
@Heckler
whiteathlete.com is reporting that it does not matter what number Shaquille O’Neal wears. Honestly.
This is what is going to happen. The Celtics just tried to patch up the big hole left by the injured Perkins with two of the most rapidly-aging, injury prone Centers in the game today. My guess is Shaw makes to little to really give a shit what happens in the regular season and he and Jermaine are going to come to an agreement to alternate games. Sit one, play one. The Celtics are going to be in for a long regular season, but once the playoffs start, it’s on.
August 4th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
Marvelous says:
For real the Celtics were already nice, but the moves they have made are putting them in a great position considering they stay healthy and fresh.
As of right now, and understand I like the Lakers way better. I think in 7 series with no one injured. Boston wins it all.
Granted the Lakers have gotten some nice pieces too, but I just don’t see Barnes and Blake as the answers to a Three-peat.
Oh and down in Miami I think one of those cats (likely Wade, but possibly LeBron because of karma for some) will get injured. So that will take them out.
Wow gotta to give it to Boston the moves they have made are excellent. Houston and other squads need to pay real attention.
August 4th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
MBE18 says:
#36 according to the website
August 4th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
K says:
even tho shaq is old he still get a couple of buckets and thats all we need from him in boston.
August 4th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Five years ago the front court of KG. Shaq, and JO would’ve dominated the League. Today they’ll be lucky if two of them are healthy at the same time.
August 4th, 2010 at 6:26 pm
Chise says:
I think it’s a great move until Perk comes back. Once he returns it’ll get pretty interesting.
August 4th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
K Dizzle says:
Cosign post #6
Gonna love Orl, Mia and Bos beatin the crap outta each other.
I keep hearin dudes say they can’t wait to see Rondo throwin lobs to Shaq…..it’s 2010. Shaq don’t do that anymore…
August 4th, 2010 at 6:43 pm
alf (from melmak) says:
Utah could have been a better fit. And at that low priced contract, the Jazz really should have made a run at him.
August 4th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
hahns says:
boston: where 90′s all stars go to die.
August 4th, 2010 at 7:09 pm
fallinup says:
My first thought reading the article was “Bill Walton”. He jumped into the Celts mix and they pulled off a ring. Who cares if Shaq comes into shape… if anything, we know the Celts save everything for the playoffs. Shit, Sheed got into shape a month before June, so don’t think they won’t know how to use Shaq. It’s a great plus to scrap out one more good run, for DIRT cheap.
This upcoming season becomes even more interesting.
August 4th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
Tony Toni says:
If they can keep KG healthy they can go back to the finals, they got plenty of fouls to give, now Ray Allen has to hit a J. Check out this blog that has a 2010-2011 Atlantic Division preview http://www.4realhoops.blogspot.com
August 4th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Jquest 23 says:
Yo this is a big pick up. Now they Def gunna bang wit the heat in the East. Mia needs to get some real big men.
August 4th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
QQ is an idiot says:
what a scrub. what a way to completely turn your back on the lakers. Its a shame to play for Boston after having had a successful career with the Lakers. This is like if Magic went to play for the Celtics when he came back. Despicable.
August 4th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
LoBezn0 says:
That Celtics lineup is like the NBA version of “The Expendables”. Heck, even their frontline alone can pass for that; maybe Rasheed won’t retire after all.
August 4th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
LAYZIE says:
@marvelous
WOW!! seems your not a big fan of miami.. but saying there would be a possible injuries???….. hmmm….. nevermind…
may godbless you always….
August 4th, 2010 at 11:10 pm
Cha-Ching says:
Is this the first LA champ to sellout to the green garbage????
August 5th, 2010 at 2:44 am
pacetola says:
Celtics = Koch Records
August 5th, 2010 at 4:46 am
joross says:
Nice now the heat have a challenge in the east!!!!fuck the heat,fuck the bandwagon!Fuck lebron james!
sorry for the bad word,just happy…
August 5th, 2010 at 7:48 am
OneZero says:
so it finally happens..
the two O’Neals are finally reunited..at long last
damn
August 5th, 2010 at 8:10 am
SJ says:
Man, with as many people that were saying Shaq should hang ‘em up the last few weeks, I can’t believe so many of you love him on the Celts. I think it’ll be a great opportunity for him and the team. If you look at his numbers last year with injuries (pretty much 12 and 6 in 22 minutes), it’s decent production for the time played. Assuming he played 40 minutes, you can arguably double those numbers and you got a 20+ and 10+ player. I’m certainly not saying he could play 40 minutes a game and definitely not do that consistently, but if you will say someone is a great player who can do 20 and 10 in 36 minutes, how can you knock his production?
I was honestly hoping he would find his way to the Pacers, but there’s always next year.
August 5th, 2010 at 8:18 am
SJ says:
*Turns out it’s a two-year deal, so nix my Pacers remark for getting Shaq next year.
August 5th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
mark rideout says:
keep playing shaq five more years be the oldest player to play the game. the bret farve of basketball