Official: Shaquile O'Neal a Boston Celtic Thread

[Brandon$$]

http://www.nba.com/celtics/



The Boston Celtics announced today that they have signed free agent center Shaquille O'Neal. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"It is not every day that you can add a player of Shaquille's caliber to your team," said Danny Ainge, Celtics President of Basketball Operations. "His past experience speaks for itself and we believe that he is a great fit for our roster."

"I am honored to be joining the Celtics," said O'Neal. "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."

[gyso]

Brandon,

Great job with the picture!!

I read that the holdup was over offering a second year. The Celtics wanted just the one and Shaq wanted two.

I believe Shaq got the second year, with both coming at the vet minimum.

http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/celtics/index.php/2010/08/04/cs-shaq-agree-to-terms/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

gyso

[mulcogiseng]

Most people don't know that if Shaq signs with a franchise its sports reporters have to take a pay cut since all the great quotes they will be given will only make their jobs easier. Don't know how much he will help the basketball team but basketball just got a whole lot more entertaining in Boston.

[NESportsfan12]

I like Shaq. I always have, and I think that he has the potential to greatly aid us in this coming year. Things are getting interesting.

[bobc33]

The Big Shamrock! I love it.

I think he knows his superstar days are gone and will be fine with giving us 5, 10 or 20 minutes a night as a role player.

[Brandon$$]

http://www.nesn.com/2010/08/celtics-officially-announce-signing-of-shaquille-oneal-says-he-will-wear-no-36.html

Shaq will wear number 36, apparently he couldn't get 32 or 33........

[worcester]

With Shaq on board, no playoff team will gain a 53-40 rebounding advantage over the Celtics again. Nuff said.

[beat]

I'll take big over "athletic" most times, in most sports.

beat

[jeb]

we are going to be better than last year...when we went to the finals, and took it to the seventh game.

[NYCelt]

Well, I'm on the record as really not going for this one and I'm sticking to that opinion.

It is, however, official so welcome aboard big guy.

One favor from this fan on behalf of your new teammates; please don't go first at the post game locker room buffet.

[worcester]

When with the Heat in Miami, Shaq was an acupuncture patient of one of my students who said he's a top notch human being, despite whatever Kobe may have reported. So I'm going with that. Shaq adds dimensions to this team that we lacked against LA in games 6 and 7 last year - fouls to give, height, muscle, toughness, and rebounding - and I'm sure Doc will find a way to put his talents to good use when the time comes. Remember, it's all about matchups.

[NYCelt]

When with the Heat in Miami, Shaq was an acupuncture patient of one of my students who said he's a top notch human being, despite whatever Kobe may have reported. So I'm going with that. Shaq adds dimensions to this team that we lacked against LA in games 6 and 7 last year - fouls to give, height, muscle, toughness, and rebounding - and I'm sure Doc will find a way to put his talents to good use when the time comes. Remember, it's all about matchups.

Worcester,

You bring up a point that I haven't made in my repeated statements that I don't want Shaq on this team. As a human being he has shown to be among the best representatives of the league on many occasions. Although I'm less than enamored with his being signed, it's strictly because of what I don't see in him as a player right now. Apart from that I respect his value as a man. No question he'll likely be a good addition to the community.

Regards

[cowens/oldschool]

He can still be disruptive,what center wants to have to lean on him and constantly be going opposite direction?Hes gonna set some big picks and roll,I see alot of alley opps to him and KG!!

[worcester]

Shaq's value to the team will be determined by how and when Doc chooses to use him in the playoffs, after a long regular season of experimentation. Someting we don't have to worry about is Shaq getting busted for being in a bar fight - or ever losing one.

[Hoopdeedoo]

This year Shaq's superstar teammates won't quit on him like LeBum. I like this signing. Shaq for the veterans minimum! I'd pay him that just for the quotes like Mulcolgi mentioned. Look around the league for the same value at backup center and it is slim pickins. We needed some muscle with Perk out. We've now got that and even at limited minutes look for the other O'neal to add some offense we didn't have before. This will indeed be another interesting year.

I heard from friends who worked with Shaq while he was in LA and they said he was a good person to work for and did a lot of nice things for them and people he didn't even need to know.

Woosta, I bet your student needed a big slab to lay that dude out to work on him!

Hoop

[worcester]

Hoop, Instead of a treatment table he had an eight foot block of marble.

One point to ponder is what if Shaq had signed for the vet minimum with either Orlando, Miami, or the Lakers? What would our chances for #18 be then? Matchups, matchups. Now we don't have to face Shaq without a healthy Perk.

[Matty]

Hoop, Instead of a treatment table he had an eight foot block of marble.

One point to ponder is what if Shaq had signed for the vet minimum with either Orlando, Miami, or the Lakers? What would our chances for #18 be then? Matchups, matchups. Now we don't have to face Shaq without a healthy Perk.

i made this point in talking about the signing with my dad, that from a physical standpoint Perk has a very limited number of challenges in the league, even if Shaq sat out the entire season there is now one less body Perk has to pound on during the season/playoffs.

last season when Shaq went to "the land King Nothing has now forsaken" i commented at BDC that i dont buy into the hype being offered that Shaq would be the guy helping secure King Nothing's first championship, that it was all but a done deal. For Boston, Shaq is simply another peice of the puzzle- Doc knows how to best utilize players, and to motivate and bring out the best in them if their willing to buy into the system. With a two year deal, Shaq is likely on his last hurrah, he's got a small window left, its all prolly gonna be here in Boston that his careers ends so if another title is for the taking, he's gotta do whatever it takes now to get it. so i think realizing that he'll be willing to buy into the system.

I think both O'Neil's have fuel left in the tank, and down the road when Perk is healthy i can see us being in a position to spell and give plenty of rest to both KG and Perk with this lineup
Perkins/ Shaq/Jermaine
KG/Jermaine/Davis

rest and even being in a position to completely sit out and rest up minor innjuries has been our archiles heal of sorts since we got the real Big Three as we've often been sort on bodies with our big guys numerous injuries. How much fUel the O'neils have left to bring individual big games (especialy in shaq's case) wont be a big huge factor for us, we wont HAVE to have big games from them regularly- or in King Nothing's situation- a must during the playoff's. The Celtics can afford to allow both to be role players playing within the team concept and they will be factors in us winning games- or a title.

now... if only we can resign Scal, # 18 will be ours for the taking!!

[worcester]

role players playing within the team concept - that's the key!!!!

[sinus007]

Hi,
My main concern re Shaq at this point is how much adjustment Doc and Frank will have to do to accommodate him into Seltics D and, to a lesser degree, O.
Also, I wonder which O'Neal's going to start?

AK

[NESportsfan12]

A couple things to keep in mind:

we paid rasheed SIGNIFICANTLY more money than we're paying Shaq, and aside from a few big games, he was essentially a disappointment. Shaq at the veteran's minimum is a sweet deal.

Scal was making more than Shaq will be making-- and Scal rarely saw the parquet.

In this years playoffs, in the cavs-bulls series, Shaq absolutely DESTROYED the Bulls' front court, drawing 5 straight fouls on 6 possessions (if my memory serves me) I understand that he might not get that sort of production every game, but when he does, that sort of momentum swing can be backbreaking.

For the money, its really hard to complain about this deal. He'll either contribute nothing for very little money and be a good veteran lockerroom presence, or he'll be key in filling a Center spot throughout the season. He seems ready to accept any role, and we should keep in mind that he scored 11 points and reeled in seven rebounds throughout last year-- these numbers are almost identical to perkins' numbers...

I think this is a good thing, all around.

[worcester]

Yes his numbers are comparable to Perk's but Perk played better D. Still, I like this acquisition.

[Sam]

I've never been a Shaq fan because I thought that most of what he had going for him was his bulk, and I didn't like what appeared to be a condescending attitude (and yes, I know all about the Mikan story). Now he's a Celtic, which automatically means to me that it's time to reevaluate.

As far as his attitude, I doubt it will ever be particularly appealing to me because I'm not a basketball fan to enjoy the quotes. But, through the years, there have been attitudes (including Russell's) that I wasn't wild about; and yet Russ is one of my four all-time player favorites. But I do feel that, once Shaq sets his mind to something, he'll move mountains (probably no exaggeration) to accomplish it. Attitudinally, that's all I really care about when it comes to Shaq and the Celtics.

As for eroding skills, they've occurred in most aspects of his game...except one....which just happens to be the #1 reason he's now a Celtic. First and foremost (possibly second and third as well), he's not here for his scoring (although he'll certainly help down low). He's not here for his passing. He's not here for his defense (although I suspect he may fit better into the Celts' help defensive schemes better than people think).

Red Auerbach used to acquire most players NOT because of their all-around skills (Havlicek and Bird might be two exceptions) but because of one or two skills that made them the kinds of specialists he loved. His concept was that the collective blending of all of those special skills was what made the team an all-around threat.

And what three things will Shaq most clearly bring to the Celtics? Rebounding, rebounding, and rebounding. His rebounds per 30 minutes last season were 10.3, which is not far off his career average of 11.3. He hasn't lost much when it comes to rebounding.

Daddy and Baby Shaq could well become the subject of instructional videos on offensive rebounding—a far cry from what we were seeing last season. Other teams' benches will not be so readily able to cheat on breakaways because they'll have to gang bang the boards on their offensive end. And I think the same dynamic duo will ignite a load of fast breaks for the Celtics bench by boarding and outlet passing...then ending up as trailers.

Last season, the tallest guy on the bench was not all that great a rebounder. Therefore, other bench players has to assume more of that burden than they were comfortable with. I bet this year's bench will be occupying roles with which they'll be much more comfortable. No one will be playing out of position. Red will be blowing smoke rings of happiness at seeing each one of them emphasize what he's best at.

The greatest individual beneficiary of Shaq's advent could well be Glen Davis. Just as Perk has freed KG to be the equivalent of a free safety on defense, Shaq will demand a lot of offensive coverage and boxing out that was previously expended on Davis. Moreover, I bet Glen will learn a lot from Shaq about how to use his body type to best advantage.

So I say screw the emphasis on what Shaq does not represent. His presence will definitely be a catalyst for a far different bench dynamic than was the case last year. And Davis is really the only full-time bench holdover from last season, so this year's bench players won't have to unlearn a lot of things; they'll be able to grow together and seek out their most useful roles from the outset of the season (health permitting).

So, while I'll always think of Shaq as an unappealing person who wouldn't be much of a player if he weren't a physical freak, I can definitely understand his acquisition by the Celtics.

Sam

[NESportsfan12]

Yes his numbers are comparable to Perk's but Perk played better D. Still, I like this acquisition.

Right, and his hands are not made of cinder blocks either. I understand that there are certain intangibles that statistics don't well-represent, and I'd still start Perk over Shaq (assuming both are healthy), but there's no doubt in my mind that this is a good pick up (we are in agreement here). I'd even go a step further and say that it is the best pick up possible considering the less than stellar FA market-- AND we still have Sheed's contract to trade for a swing man! I'm liking where we're at this season. If we can get Perk healthy, we'll have the best Roster since the championship run.

Rondo is getting better all the time, KG will regain SOME explosiveness, RA should be happy and well-conditioned as always and the bench, save the flight of Tony Allen seems strong this year. Hopefully Marquis will work himself back into the rotation, too. Both O'Neals have the potential to contribute greatly to the saving of the starters' legs, and we may even see a PRODUCTIVE bench unit (rather than one that just SUSTAINS the status of the game).

I'm optimistic this year, and hope with all my heart that we can stay healthy. A lot of this rests on Doc's management of rotations... I've never liked the way he has handled this aspect of the job (except in rare flashes of brilliance), so this should be very interesting. This season will be a treat to watch.

[MDCelticsFan]

The inevitable has been delayed yet again! Ainge is fixing a problem with a band aid, all be it a super sized one, when a turnaquet is needed. I'd feel better about not holding on to aging players who are sliding rapidly in health, stamina, and ability. Rondo and his speed and quickness are the cornerstones on which the team should be built. The C's should be going after players that can get up and down the court, up-tempo style, rebound and push the ball. Half court sets do nothing but slow Rondo down. The move to sign Shaq could work, but the percentages are against it-MD!

[dboss]

The Shaq signing makes Boston significantly bigger. When the Celtics play well in the pits they are tough to beat.

I like the signing. Shaq has 4 rings so that makes him a winner. His passing skills, ability to set mountain size picks and finish strong under the basket are still there. His role rebounding the basketball may be to block someone out so that a teammate can get the rebound. From a matchup situation, no one looks forward to playing against Shaq. He is 38 and has lost the ability to play at a high level of intensity for a lot of minutes but he can easily give the Celtics 18-20 per game.

Let's face it Perkins has been a defensive specilist for Boston but despite his improvement scoring the basketball he is offensively challanged. Both O'Neals bring an offensive dimension to the center position that we have not seen around here in a long time.

DA has done an excellent job retooling the Celtics given limited resources to work with.

If he can now parlay the Sheed contract into another wing player (with defensive skills) the Boston Celtics will be a strong contender to win another titlte this upcoming season.

dboss

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