Who else LOVES the Jermaine O'Neal signing?

[gpap]

I know I do. If you share my enthusiasm, feel free to show it!!

[CoachBo]

I'm fine with it. He's pretty clearly the best available option, and a pretty solid stopgap while we're waiting on Perkins. It'll be nice to have some offense from the center position, and maybe have a 5 who'll actually catch a pass occasionally.

[birdwatcher]

As long as he stays within himself and our system I think it's the best thing we could have done for the money. Maybe a little too much cash, but I'll take it.

[footey]

I'm quite satisfied with it. He has size, some skill, and will be a good replacement for Perk until he heals; then a good backup 5.  I worry about his knees, but that is why we can get him for the MLE. Totally fills our top need in FA (other than signing Paul and Ray).

[BringToughnessBack]

I like it a lot..more then I probably should. I think he will be a great replacement for Perk for the first part of year and will be invaluable back up when he returns.

I did not want to see Shaq daddy and his free throw act come to Boston. One bad ft player on our team is enough!

Someone needs to get him a great trainer this offseason and get him into real game shape.

[jr_3421]

I love it, but not in an all caps kind of way

[Cman]

I'm happy with the signing.

I've been a (minor) fan of his ever since I lived in Portland (many years ago now) and watched him play -- one of the few to have high socks -- does he still play with socks pulled that high?  I guess I'll find out soon.

More importantly, it was a fair signing in terms of money and years given his skill level and age.  There have been ridiculous contracts given out, but JO's contract seems very reasonable (given the new expectations about contracts).

[I Love Getting Rondod]

The upside is incredible for this move, as he will still only be 32 at the start of the year and we could get 4-5 years out of him if he gets his act and knees together.  While his knees are definitely shot, his pathetic display in the playoffs was clearly due to him mentally checking out even before game 1.  KG screaming at him in practice should wake him up and get him back to playing at maybe 70% of his previous star caliber level, which would make our lineup pretty scary.  I think his 14 and 7 numbers from the past few years actually oversell his output, but being on a team where he is the 5th option rather than the 2nd will take so much pressure off of him and will suit him perfectly.  Unless his D is terrible, I think he'll remain our starter, as he will drastically open up our offense. He has a solid 15-18 foot range and has great hands and post skills, turning him into a weak side post threat that could make Rondo look like the best PG in the league [Rondo's my favorite player but he's still not as good as Nash, Paul, or Williams].

[Drucci]

I'm fine with it. He's pretty clearly the best available option, and a pretty solid stopgap while we're waiting on Perkins. It'll be nice to have some offense from the center position, and maybe have a 5 who'll actually catch a pass occasionally.

My thoughts exactly. Really glad we signed him. I just hope he stays healthy.

[SCBirdman]

I know my opinion will be in the minority, but with Perk recovering from major ACL reconstruction, O'Neal will be the starter all season long, imo. Even if Perk is installed when he comes back after the all-star break, JO will finish games. He can block shots, is a better rebounder than Perk and is much more talented offensively.

We still need to acquire another big like Kwame Brown for the vet minimum.

[clover]

Me.

[BadNewsBarnes]

I'd much rather have JO than Shaq or Brad Miller.  I have to admit that he is a player that I really have disliked.  But once he joins the C's that all changes.

He's a good fit to cover for Perk until his return.  After that he'll provide good depth for us up front.  Throw in Kwame to replace Shelden and now we have a lot more length up front.

I still can't believe how pathetic Shelden looked in his brief
appearances in the finals.  Not that I expect Kwame to come in
and perform like an all star but hopefully he may be able to grab a rebound or 2.

[jr_3421]

The upside is incredible for this move, as he will still only be 32 at the start of the year

Lol I think this the 1st time I've read upside refer to someone who is 32.

I understand your point but I think you need to factor in that he is a preps to pro player so he has more miles on him than the average 32 year old. I do think that he will surprise a lot of people because he doesn't have as much responsibility offensively and defensively.

[LooseCannon]

The Celtics got a center who signed for less than his market value because he wanted to play for a contender.  It's hard to hate that.

It's better than Brad Miller, Shaq, or a committee composed of Kwame Brown and the summer league three.

The downside is Big Baby possibly pouting after getting his shot blocked 20 times in practice.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

I don't LOVE it -- though I could love it by the time next season's said and done -- but I like it: JO brings the size and length Boston needs, much more dangerous offensively than the cement-shoe-wearing Perk and still decent defensively (~ 2 blocks & 7 rebounds a game last season). I think (or at least hope) he'll be more motivated in Boston, and having less pressure on him to score will do him (and the C's) good (ditto that last point for Beasley, whom I'd like to see Boston get).