Posted on 08/04/2010 8:24:37 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
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.
(Excerpt) Read more at sports.espn.go.com ...
That was my 1st thought - he was such a basketball purist, a real joy to watch.
Too bad he's such a jerk calling games - I can't even listen to him.
They say Kevin McHale would spool up Walton on long flights by saying how much he admired Nixon - must have been a hoot to listen in on it.
He shoulda signed with Miami. They actually need a center.
I wish Shaq the best. One of the few NBA players I can stand.
RE: He shoulda signed with Miami. They actually need a center.
Cleveland’s former 7’3” Center, Zydrunas Ilgauskas actually followed Lebrone James to Miami. They have their center.
Iglusksas has repeatedly said he doesns’t want to play center. Besides he is about through IMO.
And finally, my remark was a little tongue in cheek. Don’t all the fading vets want to play on the new dream team?
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