Sources: Shaquille O'Neal to Boston

[CameronCrazy06]

Shaquille O'Neal has decided to join the Boston Celtics, according to sources with knowledge of the situation. He is expected to tell the team of his intentions Wednesday morning.

The length of the contract is not known, but O'Neal, who has been seeking a two-year deal, will play for the veteran's minimum of $1.4 million annually.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers began pursuing O'Neal last month when the two met in Orlando. Boston and the Atlanta Hawks were the two clubs most interested in O'Neal, and sources say O'Neal chose the Celtics because he believes they have a better chance of winning what would be his fifth NBA championship.

O'Neal, 38, averaged 12 points and 6.7 rebounds last season for the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the Cavs' six-game loss to Boston in the Eastern Conference semifinals, he averaged 13.5 points and 5 rebounds in 23 minutes a game.

Although O'Neal is no longer the dominant force he was for most of his 18-year career, he will bolster a Celtics' front line that will be without injured starter Kendrick Perkins for the first few months of the season.

Earlier this summer, the Celtics added Jermaine O'Neal, signing the veteran center/power forward for the full mid-level exception of $5.7 million.

Comcast SportsNet-New England reported Tuesday that Shaquille O'Neal and the Celtics were close to agreeing to a deal. With Celtics general manager Danny Ainge out of town on vacation, an official news conference is expected to take place next week.

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=5436289

 

[CNassassin2145]

i called this like last month

 

[RipCity32]

I don't see where they fit Shaq, Davis, JO, and Perkins.
But he helps more than hurts IMO.

 

[sheed]

Well, since Perkins will be out for like all of the year, they needed another big man.

 

[$tunna]

Well, since Perkins will be out for like all of the year, they needed another big man.

I thought that was why they got JO.

 

[CameronCrazy06]

JO was to replace Perkins. Shaq is to replace Sheed.

 

[sheed]

JO was to replace Perkins. Shaq is to replace Sheed.

Yeah, this makes more sense.

 

[Pugz]

shaq will play a lot for them though.

 

[DJT]

Yeah he is a big body down low, he can score and defend. Good pick up.

Now all eyes shift to AI and TMac.

 

[playmaker7]

What I'm about to say, comes from the heart...

Fuck Shaq

 

[Mexi]

imo, great move

 

[RipCity32]

Perkins is out ALL year? I didn't know that.

 

[bestkeptsecret13]

Perkins is out ALL year? I didn't know that.

I don't think so.

 

[Pugz]

more than half, atleast. either way, thats a huge blow to the celtics and his career.

 

[elcheato]

"I like that they play together and nobody really worries about shots, " O'Neal said. "When I was with Cleveland, guys who couldn't even play were worried about shots. Why was Mo (Williams) taking 15 shots, and I'm only taking four? If LeBron takes 20 shots, that's cool.

This is so ironic lol. "I like that they play together and nobody worries about shots", and then he complains about shots a second after.

 

[MR.ballin]

Yeah Oneal. You are definitely in your prime so you should take more shots.

 

[$tunna]

This is so ironic lol. "I like that they play together and nobody worries about shots", and then he complains about shots a second after.

Exactly. SMH

 

[RipCity32]

I guess Detroit offered him $8 million. I'm assuming over a couple years.

Good though, we have no use for him really.

 

[sheed]

Yeah, I was just going to post that. Glad we didn't sign him. He would have slowed down Monroe's progression/playing time.

 

[Pugz]

on one side i think he and ben would have been ideal to help greg, BUT im happy we didnt sign him.