Report: Jermaine O'Neal agrees to sign with the Celts (update on page 11)

[Rashi]

Bring me both Jermaine AND Shaq!

(We'd have 2 O'Neal's and 2 Allen's )

+1

I just want Shaq so he can give those hard fouls and make Pau soft again.

[LooseCannon]

If the Celtics sign Jermaine O'Neal, I predict there will be at least a couple of playoff games where he's going to be on the floor at the end of the fourth quarter in a competitive game instead of Kendrick Perkins.

O'Neal is in many ways an ideal fit for the team, a legitimate NBA starting center who can move to a bench role backing up both the 4 and 5 positions when Perkins comes back.

The main drawback to JO'N isn't his ability or concern that it might take all of the MLE to sign him.  The main concern is, and should be, his durability.

Really, we should be comparing Jermaine O'Neal to the other options.  Brad Miller for maybe half or 2/3 of the MLE.  A low budget collection of Kwame Brown and the summer league seven-footers.  Hoping Erick Dampier gets traded and cut for salary cap purposes.  Hoping that Miami gets LeBron and is forced to renounce Udonis Haslem.

I get the sense that some people on this board will regard any signing as a failure if it doesn't bring in an All-Star level player or a young player with the potential of a future All-Star.  Those would be the same people who break down and cry when they find out that Tommy points can't be redeemed to buy ponies.

[Who]

The only way I won't like this is if Brandon Haywood signs elsewhere for the MLE and we could have had him instead.  If Haywood gets more than the MLE I'll be satisfied with this as one of the better alternatives.

Maybe Kurt Thomas could be had for the vet min to shore up our depth?

While I tend to agree, the only thing I could counter with (in a somewhat Devil's Advocate sort of way) is that O'Neal's ability to score might could make up for the C's not getting a scoring wing like Mike Miller.  Sure we might get stuck with TA (who can't shoot) and an Anthony Morrow type (who can only shoot), but if you put those two on the court with O'Neal, BBD, and Bradley/Robinson, there's enough scoring power for the C's to feel comfortable resting PP and Ray.

And I'm not sure that's the case with Haywood. 

This is what terrifies me about Jermaine O'Neal. Being asked to score and/or forcing one-on-one basketball like Glen Davis was last year.

That is going to hurt the Celtics.

Is it going to hurt the Celtics anymore than relying on Baby/Sheed for offense last year?  As inefficient as JO is on offense, his numbers last year were much better than Baby & Sheed, as he enjoyed notable leads on them in TS%, eFG%, assist % and points per minute (while also outstripping them in rebound rate and block %).

Yes

Jermaine O'Neal creating his own offense is a whole other kettle of fish than JO playing off of others and finishing plays.

When Jermaine does the latter, he is a positive influence offensively. When he tries or is asked/forced to do the former, he is a huge negative influence offensively. One of the most hurtful players in the league offensively.

[Who]

I would rather have Kwame Brown.

At least he knows he sucks offensively and doesn't try to play outside of his skill level.

[redsoc]

I'd like to see the Celts sign Shaq just to see the other team Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline. a proverbial brick upon seeing a lineup of Rondo, Pierce, KG, Shaq, and Perk.

Talk about size...

[JHTruth]

I'm not sure what other options would be an improvement. This guy is not what he was but he still a highly serviceable player.

I'd welcome JO, this guy is a player who can help us and be a great fit for us..

[dooyork]

If the Celtics sign Jermaine O'Neal, I predict there will be at least a couple of playoff games where he's going to be on the floor at the end of the fourth quarter in a competitive game instead of Kendrick Perkins.

O'Neal is in many ways an ideal fit for the team, a legitimate NBA starting center who can move to a bench role backing up both the 4 and 5 positions when Perkins comes back.

The main drawback to JO'N isn't his ability or concern that it might take all of the MLE to sign him.  The main concern is, and should be, his durability.

Really, we should be comparing Jermaine O'Neal to the other options.  Brad Miller for maybe half or 2/3 of the MLE.  A low budget collection of Kwame Brown and the summer league seven-footers.  Hoping Erick Dampier gets traded and cut for salary cap purposes.  Hoping that Miami gets LeBron and is forced to renounce Udonis Haslem.

I get the sense that some people on this board will regard any signing as a failure if it doesn't bring in an All-Star level player or a young player with the potential of a future All-Star.  Those would be the same people who break down and cry when they find out that Tommy points can't be redeemed to buy ponies.

WHAT??!!   

[dpaps]

What about a sign and trade. With Lebron apparently ready to join Miami, ESPN was saying that Miami is really trying to dump Beasley's contract.

Sign and trade Jermaine O'Neal and Beasley for Sheed, Harangody and a future pick. Keep the MLE.

[banks336]

What about a sign and trade. With Lebron apparently ready to join Miami, ESPN was saying that Miami is really trying to dump Beasley's contract.

Sign and trade Jermaine O'Neal and Beasley for Sheed, Harangody and a future pick. Keep the MLE.

When you sign and trade you can't include another contract.  But on another note the east is LOADED.. Amare, Rose & Boozer, 2 big 3's, Dwight.. Wow

[LooseCannon]

When you sign and trade you can't include another contract. 

Um, yes you can.

[Neurotic Guy]

What about a sign and trade. With Lebron apparently ready to join Miami, ESPN was saying that Miami is really trying to dump Beasley's contract.

Sign and trade Jermaine O'Neal and Beasley for Sheed, Harangody and a future pick. Keep the MLE.

If the Lebron to Miami rumor is true, I think Bosh may ultimately be signed via S&T with Beasley likely going to Toronto. 

[GreenFaith1819]

If we give O'Neal anything more than the vet minimum, it will be a waste. O'Neal is barely serviceable.  I'd rather offer the whole MLE to Reddick, Morrow, or Mike Miller than give any portion of it to O'Neal. Vet min, fine, any of the MLE, no way.

I think we should deal Wallace's contract and Davis to Golden State for Bierdrins. Then sign Reddick or Morrow to an offer sheet using the MLE. If either team matches, then offer the MLE to Mike Miller.

I know stats aren't everything but considering what it sounds like they're paying for him he's still pretty darn serviceable.

Last season:

JO 70 Games
KG 69 Games

JO 28.4 MPG
KG 29.9 MPG

JO .529 FG%
KG .521 FG%

JO 6.9 RPG
KG 7.3 RPG

JO 13.6 PPG
KG 14.3 PPG

JO 1.4 BPG
KG 0.8 BPG

I know he looked like total poop against us, but he's still very capable of filling a role that the Celts need filled.

Good Post, Redz..plus, his FT % was right around 72%, which is decent.

I believe JO can help us..overall, he is better stats-wise than both Shaq and brad Miller...he is younger than they are, at only 31..my only concern is his health, though. He's an above average defender, too.

Jermaine O'Neal And Shaq's stats VS LA and ORL? Well, surprisingly, at least according to ESPN Game Logs, J.O did not play bad, at all, VS Dwight...pretty much held him in check in their three games MIA played against ORL.

According to the stats, JO outplayed Dwight.

JO VS LA? Well, the game in LA was won by LA..Gasol and Bynum had pretty good games pts and rebs wise VS JO. In the LA game in MIA, J.O. did a better job on them.

Now Shaq(CLE) VS LA or ORL? Well, Shaq pretty much made Gasol and Bynum go away in their two games..and Shaq's games vs Dwight were pretty much even.

Pair JO with KG and I like our games VS LA or ORL. His offensive and defensive games are solid, indeed. It would be interesting, indeed, to see 5 Offensive threats on the floor at the same time if we picked up J.O.

And like I stated before - he is younger.

Shaq may give us a slightly better edge VS LA, though.

[Neurotic Guy]

Can someone pleae provide a comprehensive rundown on JO's injury history and current status.  Are his most recent injuries chronic, in healing process, likely to recur?  I'd be interested in an informed perspective (not idle speculation general statements like "he's injury prone") about his actual injuries and the realistic health prospects for the next 2 years.

[LooseCannon]

From his SB Nation profile page:

Transactions/Injuries/Suspensions
April 17, 2010    Missed the last 2 games of the regular season (left ankle injury).
April 12, 2010    Left ankle injury, day-to-day.
April 7, 2010    Missed 4 games (right knee injury).
March 22, 2010    Missed 1 game (sprained left ankle).
March 20, 2010    Sprained left ankle, day-to-day.
February 3, 2010    Missed 1 game (back spasms).
February 1, 2010    Back spasms, day-to-day.
January 6, 2010    Missed 1 game (groin).
January 4, 2010    Groin, day-to-day.
December 13, 2009    Missed 2 games (personal reasons).
December 6, 2009    Personal reasons, day-to-day.
November 17, 2009    Missed 1 game (bruised left hip).
November 14, 2009    Bruised left hip, day-to-day.
May 3, 2009    Missed 1 playoff game (concussion).
May 1, 2009    Concussion, day-to-day.
April 19, 2009    Missed 2 games (left calf injury).
April 14, 2009    Left calf injury, day-to-day.
March 25, 2009    Missed 1 game (hip injury).
March 23, 2009    Hip injury, day-to-day.
February 13, 2009    Acquired from the Toronto Raptors.
January 21, 2009    Missed 2 games (sore right knee).
January 18, 2009    Sore right knee, day-to-day.
January 16, 2009    Missed 9 games (right knee injury).
December 31, 2008    Right knee injury, day-to-day.
December 2, 2008    Missed 3 games (left knee injury).
November 26, 2008    Left knee injury, day-to-day.
March 31, 2008    Missed 33 games (bruised left knee).
January 19, 2008    Bruised left knee, day-to-day.
January 12, 2008    Missed 1 game (sore left knee).
January 9, 2008    Sore left knee, day-to-day.
November 30, 2007    Missed 5 games (knee injury).
November 21, 2007    Knee injury, day-to-day.
November 2, 2007    Missed 1 game (knee surgery).
October 31, 2007    Knee surgery, day-to-day.
April 18, 2007    Missed the last 2 games of the regular season (sore left knee).
April 17, 2007    Sore left knee, inactive list.
April 3, 2007    Missed 1 game (sore left knee).
April 1, 2007    Sore left knee, day-to-day.
March 30, 2007    Missed 1 game (left ankle injury).
March 28, 2007    Left ankle injury, inactive list.
March 14, 2007    Missed 3 games (sore left knee).
March 10, 2007    Sore left knee, day-to-day.
February 9, 2007    Missed 1 game (left knee injury).
February 7, 2007    Left knee injury, inactive list.
December 29, 2006    Missed 1 game (flu).
December 26, 2006    Flu, day-to-day.
December 13, 2006    Missed 3 games (hamstring).
December 8, 2006    Hamstring, day-to-day.
November 10, 2006    Missed 1 game (sprained left ankle).
November 8, 2006    Sprained left ankle, day-to-day.
April 27, 2006    Fined $15,000 by the NBA for publicly criticizing officials.
April 1, 2006    Missed 1 game (groin).
March 30, 2006    Groin, day-to-day.
March 22, 2006    Missed 24 games (groin).
January 27, 2006    Groin, day-to-day.
January 21, 2006    Missed 3 games (sprained left ankle).
January 16, 2006    Sprained left ankle, day-to-day.
January 8, 2006    Missed 3 games (pneumonia).
January 2, 2006    Pneumonia, day-to-day.
April 29, 2005    Fined $10,000 by the NBA for his actions in Game 3 of Round One against the Boston Celtics.
April 17, 2005    Missed 22 games (sprained right shoulder).
March 4, 2005    Sprained right shoulder, injured list.
December 24, 2004    Missed 15 games (suspension).
November 21, 2004    Suspended by the NBA for 25 games for his actions on Nov 19 against the Detroit Pistons.
November 5, 2004    Missed 1 game (foot injury).
November 1, 2004    Foot injury, injured list.
March 28, 2004    Missed 2 games (left knee injury).
March 23, 2004    Left knee injury, day-to-day.
February 3, 2004    Missed 1 game (neck injury).
February 2, 2004    Neck injury, day-to-day.
November 21, 2003    Missed 1 game (knee tendinitis).
November 19, 2003    Knee tendinitis, day-to-day.
July 16, 2003    Re-signed by the Indiana Pacers to a seven-year contract.
April 4, 2003    Missed 1 game (right ankle injury).
April 2, 2003    Right ankle injury, day-to-day.
December 28, 2002    Missed 4 games (knee injury).
December 20, 2002    Knee injury, day-to-day.
April 2, 2002    Missed 2 games (suspension).
March 27, 2002    Fined $10,000 and suspended for two games by the NBA for his actions on Mar 26 against the Detroit Pistons.
February 12, 2002    Missed 1 game (sprained left ankle).
February 5, 2002    Sprained left ankle, day-to-day.
January 23, 2002    Missed 4 games (hyperextended left knee).
January 16, 2002    Hyperextended left knee, sidelined indefinitely.
November 16, 2001    Back injury, day-to-day.
November 14, 2001    Missed 1 game (back injury).
November 13, 2001    Back injury, day-to-day.

[ForexPirate]

with all the years that shaq has in the league - what is his minimum veteran's exception for signing him?  It must be pretty high ... yes?