Celtics to sign Shaq

[Birdbrain]

BOO YA! Get it done with! Call it an off-season!

We still need another backup sf.  I don't think we should feel comfortable with the injury prone Daniels Pierce's only backup.  Now get Corey Brewer and THEN call it an off-season.

Do you or anyone for that matter have a single link where there is any evidence that Danny or Celtics are interested in Corey Brewer?  Because I've seen you and 1 other poster comment ad nauseum over Brewer and while I don't share your opinion (he barely got time on Twolves) it would be interesting in a ok this isn't completely wasting my time reading it sort of way.  

[fairweatherfan]

A big meh on this one from me.  Shaq won't hurt our movement on O as much as he did in Cleveland because we don't have that many slashers, but he 's useless on both ends in transition, and tends to clog the lane on O while playing spotty D at best in the half-court.  I question if he's a net positive at this point in his career. 

Still, we need a center til Perk gets back, and we've got one.  This squeezes Baby out of the rotation once Perk returns, though; hope that doesn't lead to chemistry issues given that it's his contract year.

When it's all said and done, it's going to be interesting to see how many HOFers from the last 15 years wound up playing on these Celtics teams. 

[Evantime34]

If we are able to sign him to the vet him I will be ecstatic. If we traded Sheed as part of the deal, I will be moderately excited.

[Roy Hobbs]

. . .  but he 's useless on both ends in transition, and tends to clog the lane on O while playing spotty D at best in the half-court. 

I'm going to disagree on this point.  The key to starting a fast break is rebounding, and Shaq would suddenly become the best rebounder on our team.  He's also a very good passer.

[Mr October]

dude.......


 

[winsomme]

This makes me feel better about not having Perk for the better part of the season. He's not the ideal fit here, but like others have said it could work out really well and certainly will be entertaining....

Not a lot of holes in the roster at this point. I guess we could use a SF, but now I'm just ready for the season to start...opening night is going to be CRAY-ZEE!

[WeMadeIt17]

I would love for it to be a sign and trade with shaq and either moon or parker coming to Boston. Would solidify our bench so much!!

Nate
Wafer/Parker/Bradley
Daniels/Moon/Parker both maybe's
BBD/Harangody
Shaq/Perk

[mloyko]

daldridgetnt    Props to @SherrodbCSN in Boston for being first: Cs are indeed "close," according to league source, to signing Shaq. Story soon on NBA.com.
half a minute ago via web

david alridge now confirming they are indeed close.. looks like its going to get done. 

[Celtics17]

I remember when Shaq was still at LSU and I was telling everyone that the NBA would have a new definition of power next season. People use to laugh and say Patrick Ewing will kick his ... .  Well, here we are almost 20 years later and while 'The Shack Attack' may have lost a few steps he is still the same intimidating presence he has always been. You can never have enough enforcers around the basket and especially when the playoffs start. With Jermaine and hopefully Perk by spring, Shaq can give us 10-15 very quality minutes a night and really help this club!

[Evantime34]

Things that people will love about Shaq.
Rebounding
Finishing
Passing
Post game comments
Things that people won't like about Shaq
Free Throw shooting
Lack of Pick and roll defense.

This team is now equipped to bang with the Laker's inside.

[Mr October]

With Perk down and Wallace leaving the Celtics were extremely size deficient.

Jermaine solved half the problem. Now the other O'Neal completes the void. This is going to be a lot of fun.

I'm not sure what this means for Perk when he returns or Davis. (Although I suspect that Perk wont be back to true starter form until a full year from now anyway)

[jdpapa3]

I like that O'Neal and Shaq can split the C minutes right down the middle...if it happens. I also feel Shaq can burn Miami with who they have down low.

[fairweatherfan]

. . .  but he 's useless on both ends in transition, and tends to clog the lane on O while playing spotty D at best in the half-court. 

I'm going to disagree on this point.  The key to starting a fast break is rebounding, and Shaq would suddenly become the best rebounder on our team.  He's also a very good passer.

I'll give you the rebounding of course, but I've never thought Shaq was unusually good at outlet passing, he seems a lot more adept at interior passes and kickouts.  Might just be me not noticing though.

I guess it ultimately depends on what the terms wind up being.  Vet min like others have said would be great; if we give up the chip of Sheed's contract and only get Shaq out of it, not as good.

He's the best center available for sure, but I worry about alpha dog issues.  He won't be dealing with an up-and-coming superstar from a new generation, he'll be mostly surrounded by the guys he used to directly compete and measure himself against.  I could see some friction there, and with Baby who's gonna want to put up good numbers, and who's apparently already bodyslammed Shaq once    I'd be happy to be wrong though.

[Mencius]

I don't even care if Shaq is mediocre throughout the regular season, as long as he's good against Orlando and the Lakers.  We now have plenty of size to combat both.  Dirty Howard will no longer be knocking people out with impunity, and the Lakers simply being too long is history.  Excellent signing if it comes to be.

If Perk makes it back we'll have the Jermaine, Shaq, KG, and Perk.  That's plenty of size to deal with anybody.

Would still like a backup SF with some size, but this has been an outstanding off season if this comes to be.

[FallGuy]

I'm excited that Shaq may come to training camp even more out of shape than Rasheed did last year.