Shaq wants to be a Celtic

[GreenFaith1819]

According to the info on the front page, you should ALL be spitting on this idea and kicking it into the dirt. Shaq is utterly done as a player. The only reason he can sort of do anything on the court is because he's freaking enormous. Its not 2002 anymore, he's 39 years old. There is absolutely no need to WASTE Sheed's contract OR a pick on a player who would barely be able to give what we needed from him until Perk came back (15 mins a game). Vet min, best offer, shaq.

Shaq wasn't nearly as bad as you're suggesting.

Last year, comparing his production to J.O., BBD, Perk, and Sheed, Shaq scored the most points per minute, had the most rebounds per minute, had the most assists per minute, shot the second highest percentage, and had the second most blocks per minute.

He's still an extremely productive offensive player, and he's still above-average at low post defense.  He struggles on pick-and-roll defense at this point.

He really was that bad. The Cavs were worse with him on the floor. His hook shot is literally the ugliest thing I've ever seen. Even at age 38 last year he played with an "adjust to me" style. We can't do that. Also, coincidentally, we get murdered on the pick and roll (minus KG).

Good Point..but I think that Shaq could flourish here in Boston. He's never played with a PF like KG before.

KG is the X-Factor in any Big we bring in here.

KG will make Shaq (and J.O.) look Really, Really Good. KG is an unselfish Big, and very effective and intelligent, even at his age of 34.

I remember that game in LA (I think game 2)...KG was taken out of the game by the foul troubles, but once Doc put him back in late in the 4th, KG was probably the most effective player on the floor.

Ray had carried us that entire game with his 8 3 pters, but when he ran out of gas and KG came back in, he had several assists, a couple of baskets, and a nice pass to Perk for a late quarter basket to seal the deal.

KG will be the Glue Guy that makes any Big we bring in here effective - as long as they are willing. And I think Shaq is willing at this point in his career.

[joe forte loves scoobydoo]

I would really like to add Shaq, but not at the expense of Rasheed Wallace's contract.  Sheed's contract is the best trade chip we have, and we need some help at the wing position ahead of another center. 

Now if we traded Wallace's contract and a first rounder for Shaq and say... Anthony Parker, that I would be all over that (A guy can dream, right?). 

[BballTim]

  If you sign Shaq, it has to be with the understanding that he'll put the same kind of hit on LeBron when he gets to the rim that other teams put on Rondo.

[housecall]

  If you sign Shaq, it has to be with the understanding that he'll put the same kind of hit on LeBron when he gets to the rim that other teams put on Rondo.

TP...I like that line of thinking.

[guava_wrench]

Shaq is not a good fit for this team. Our team is built around chemistry and hard work. Shaq is the anti-thesis of Ubuntu.

This is a lie...sorry, but you need to show proof of this.  Shaq is a lovable guy who cares about his teammates, the community in which he resides, and loves kids.  

Please don't throw these careless comments out there unless you can back them with supporting links and quotes.  Where have you read he doesn't work hard?

I think he'd be great for this team...  Shaq knows himself, and he understands he's an older player with certain limitations.  He would never come to this team to be a dark cloud.

And lastly...  I think it's time to shelve "Ubuntu" - that was a couple years ago, and it's not the calling card of this team any longer.

I want Shaq here, too, but I've heard some of the same things about him.  I've heard reports that when things are going poorly, he's very moody in the locker room.  In terms of hard work, he's always been accused of not taking care of his body the way he should.

That said, I think that Shaq is still a force, and I think that playing alongside so many players that he respects would keep him motivated.

I heard the same about a guy with the last name "Bird"...

The big difference is that Bird wasn't able to hang around so long because his body didn't last. Shaq has lasted too long and can't accept his own shortcomings.

I also don't remember Bird burning bridges the way Shaq does when he leaves teams. Also, Bird was not moody like Shaq. Shaq is self-involved moody. If the team plays poorly, he believes it is because he isn't the focal point of the team. He isn't p---ed because of lack of effort, as Bird might be.

Not surprisingly, Miami was not interested in picking up Shaq because they did not want to damage their team chemistry. They know first hand how damaging he can be.

"Shaq knows himself, and he understands he's an older player with certain limitations.  He would never come to this team to be a dark cloud."

No. He doesn't know his limitations. That is why he has a hard time finding takers. He wants to big a role, and GMs are aware that he is a locker room problem when unhappy.

Shaq probably has the biggest ego in the NBA.

[Kane3387]

In my opinion Shaq will sign with us. He wants to be on a contender, wants to get minutes, and wants to be paid. Shaq likely won't be paid on our team, but his other two wishes will be granted by signing with Boston. Frankly he won't find a team that will be able to grant all his wishes so 2 out of 3 ain't bad!!!

With Perk out he comes to a team that will play him. The Celtics are his best option from a contender standpoint. Only Orlando, the Lakers, and Miami can claim they have a logically better chance to compete than us and none of those teams will even sign him for the vet. min. All of those teams have openly closed the door on that one because all those bridges were burned long ago. Denver Atlanta and Dallas can't give him the minutes or the chance at winning like us. Nor will they give him the money he desires.

In Boston he has a coach any veteran would love to play for and a locker room any veteran would love to play with. In the end Shaq wants ring number five more than anything else. I truly belive this. Kobe's remarks after getting number five did not sit well with the big guy and he is not pleased that Kobe has one more title than him. He wants two more years... We will only give two more years. He wants a title... We were one back up big man away from a title...

In the end I think he will sign the vet min to join our team if he has too. We are the perfect situation for O'Neal and he is likely the best option for us at this point in time. Whether its via S+T with a guy like Moon or Parker added in or for the vet. min. I have a gut feeling and truly belive Shaq will be a Celtic come mid to late August.

Don't think Shaq doesn't imagine beating the three teams he led to the Finals - Miami, Lakers, Orlando - on his way to title number five! What a great way to end a career... What competitor wouldn't find that scenario ideal?

[ben]

I would love Shaq on this team. 

What about Miami though.  Wouldn't that grant two of his wishes as well?

But the Celtics would be sweeter, as a rival to the lakers he would be sticking it to Kobe AND the Lakers at the same time, how sweet. 

[17wasEZ]

In the end I think he will sign the vet min to join our team if he has too. We are the perfect situation for O'Neal and he is likely the best option for us at this point in time. Whether its via S+T with a guy like Moon or Parker added in or for the vet. min. I have a gut feeling and truly belive Shaq will be a Celtic come mid to late August.

Don't think Shaq doesn't imagine beating the three teams he led to the Finals - Miami, Lakers, Orlando - on his way to title number five! What a great way to end a career... What competitor wouldn't find that scenario ideal?

Would love to see him go to Boston for the minimum, but he doesn't have to. It is a good situation for him, but not great. He went from thinking he could get 8M a year as a starter on a contender to possibly making 1.35M as a back-up.

We'll see how badly he wants to play on a contender.

[PosImpos]

The problem I see with all this talk of Shaq is who is the odd man out once Perk is back?  We definitely need a backup center until Perk comes back (Semih won't cut it).  However, we don't have minutes for KG, Jermaine, Shaq, Perk, and Big Baby.  Somebody will end up sitting on the bench during the playoffs, and somebody won't like it.

I suppose we could do a lot worse than acquiring Shaq from Cleveland using Rasheed's contract if we got a wing that can defend and shoot in return (e.g. Parker or Moon).  However, if we could trade Sheed's contract for a better wing player and get a serviceable center who could be our backup for the regular season and then merely a reserve in the playoffs, I'd much rather go with that.

We have a much more glaring need for a backup SG / SF than for a backup big man.  I don't feel confident at all in this team if Marquis Daniels is our primary backup for Ray and Paul.

[jdub1660]

I know one consensus objective here is that he wouldn't get minutes. But I really feel(especially playoff time) that he would start if the chemistry worked out well enough. At the same time though, I think it'd be best for him to take on a Ginobli type role and come off the bench. That way he'd be the number 2 or 3 option on offense rather than 4th or last option as a starter.

Net us Shaq, Delonte and maybe Moon for Sheed and whoever and you can start getting the rings sized next week.

[Kane3387]

I would love Shaq on this team.  

What about Miami though.  Wouldn't that grant two of his wishes as well?

But the Celtics would be sweeter, as a rival to the lakers he would be sticking it to Kobe AND the Lakers at the same time, how sweet.  

As i mentioned this bridge has been previously burned with the comments Shaq had for Miami when he went to Phoenix about their training staff, etc. Also Riley has said he will sign no one who will take attention away from their "super friends"... Shaq will not go to LA - Kobe doesn't want him. He will not go to Miami - Riley and the rest don't want him. He will not go to Orlando - Dwight and Stan don't want him. His best chance to win is in Boston. He clearly knows this or he would not be lobbying to come here.

[Kane3387]

The problem I see with all this talk of Shaq is who is the odd man out once Perk is back?  We definitely need a backup center until Perk comes back (Semih won't cut it).  However, we don't have minutes for KG, Jermaine, Shaq, Perk, and Big Baby.  Somebody will end up sitting on the bench during the playoffs, and somebody won't like it.

I suppose we could do a lot worse than acquiring Shaq from Cleveland using Rasheed's contract if we got a wing that can defend and shoot in return (e.g. Parker or Moon).  However, if we could trade Sheed's contract for a better wing player and get a serviceable center who could be our backup for the regular season and then merely a reserve in the playoffs, I'd much rather go with that.

We have a much more glaring need for a backup SG / SF than for a backup big man.  I don't feel confident at all in this team if Marquis Daniels is our primary backup for Ray and Paul.

As others have mentioned we have to be under the assumption Perk is not coming back and anything he gives us is a bonus. Guys just don't recover right away from this injury. It takes about a year if not more. Will Perk trust the knee? How rusty will he be? Can he reagin a rhythm with the team? Especially if Jermaine is playing well and is the starter... In my opinion it is foolish for the Celtics to assume Perk will be able to contribute effectively this year. On defense he is asked to use that knee against the ultra athletuc howard, the amares, gasols, bynums, etc.

WE NEED ANOTHER CENTER!!!! Plain and simple!!!

[footey]

I'd take a flyer on Shaq for the minimum, with the stipulation he has to lose 20-25 pounds before training camp. Otherwise he his just a waste of space.

[thebat]

I thought we are running a supposed championship-caliber roster. Never realized we are running the home-for-the-aged basketball team!

[Andy Jick]

I thought we are running a supposed championship-caliber roster. Never realized we are running the home-for-the-aged basketball team!

Veteran teams win titles...not kids.  Unless you'd rather have Big Al, Gerald and Telfair donning Celtics green.