Has Everyone Lost Their Mind?

[sbm8196]

As far as being a former Laker, he has no love for the Lake Show, nor Kobe.  Remember the Lakers had to give up on Kobe or Shaq in '04 after their feud and they traded Shaq.  

Everyone in the league knows Doc is a player's coach and that the locker room culture of the Celtics is competitive but fiercely loyal.  Doc and Danny must have had conversations with Shaq and feel comfortable that he will know his role and will fit in.

Finally, Shaq will be driven.  'Nuff said with this quote!

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/06/quote-of-the-day-where-the-shaqkobe-feud-lives-on.php

Go C's!!

[FallGuy]

I would take Kobe if he'd come here.

I know you are probably speaking in theory, but I don't know about that one....we have a need for another center right now, but Kobe?

I'll take Ray over him at this time. Ray fits better into what Doc and Danny want for The Celtics. I don't know if Kobe could (or would) fit here, IMO.

I think that you're completely wrong, and that of all the "Top 5" guys (LeBron, Wade, Kobe, Howard, Durant), Kobe would probably fit in the best here.

I am a success ****. If a top-5 guy will come to Boston, I'll take him. Purely theoretical but if Kobe or Lebron wanted to be here, I'd welcome them with open arms.

So, FG - in Summer of 2007, were KG, Paul or Ray in the Top 5 of players? No matter where NBA players rank, they have to subscribe to Team.

Rankings don't mean a thing to me. Never have.

Lebron left his team and City. He couldn't elevate them to Championship status.

Do you Really believe that if Kobe had a chance he'd come here?

In order:

Summer of 07 - KG was the only guy, arguably, in the top 5. Not sure your point though.

There are many legit criticisms of Lebron. But he's not the reason they failed to win a title. That was due to roster construction around him.

No, I don't think there's any chance Kobe would come here. My point is that I don't care where a guy comes from. If he's great, let's get him to Boston.

[moiso]

We have signed big men in each of the last two years that I can't stand.  Shaq isn't one of them.  I'm very excited by this addition.  I don't think of him as a Laker anymore, and I'm not sure it would matter even if I did.

For the salary and the role, we could not have done better.  Awesome signing, and it's great how Ainge took his time and got it done for peanuts.  We just got Shaq for Shelden Williams/JR Giddens money.  It's pretty crazy.

[sbm8196]

We have signed big men in each of the last two years that I can't stand.  Shaq isn't one of them.  I'm very excited by this addition.  I don't think of him as a Laker anymore, and I'm not sure it would matter even if I did.

For the salary and the role, we could not have done better.  Awesome signing, and it's great how Ainge took his time and got it done for peanuts.  We just got Shaq for Shelden Williams/JR Giddens money.  It's pretty crazy.

Shaq's vet min is a little more than Shelden and JR because he has over 10 years in the league but I agree this is a steal! I think I read yesterday that Shaq will cost 1.3mil for a year.

Good signing.. can't wait for the official announcement!

[SCBirdman]

I completely disagree with your opinion. In my opinion, it does not matter where Shaq has played. When he was winning titles with LA, the C's were in the lottery most years. There was o rivalry when Shaq played in LA. They were the dominant program, we were still reeling from Rick Pitino and missing Tim Duncan in the Lottery.

Sure, we made the playoffs and lost in the ECF to NJ one year, but to me, its just NOT a big deal.

What is more of a big deal has bee the widespread rumors of Shaq causing problems in the locker rooms in Miami, and Cleavland. However, Shaq knows he has a chance to win another ring.

Shaq will be motivated to beat Kobe for his 5th ring. Shaq will no longer be the dominant personality in the locker room. KG and Doc Rivers can handle Shaq.

I truly think we will see a different Shaq than we have seen the past 3-4 seasons. I fully expect Shaq to be in better shape and to be a contributor to hanging banner 18.

Shaq is a good fit to how we play on offense. Shaq can run the floor if he does not have to play extended minutes. I watched him do it against us in a couple of playoff games. At times, Shaq was the dominant player on the court for Cleavland, not LeDone James.

So, yeah, I pretty much think Boston's off season has been great. We got Jermaine O'Neal, and now Shaq. AND we STILL have Rasheed's contract to acquire a legit wing, capable of being a starter.

Ainge is starting to remind me of Red just a little bit. This was a crafty move for sure.

I can't wait for the presser with Shaq. Next, I can't wait to see the trade Ainge makes to get that last wing for our bench.

Next, I can't wait to crush Miami on opening night! Shaq welcoming LeDone back to the Boston Garden with a hard foul.

Yeah, I HAVE lost my mind.

[moiso]

I completely disagree with your opinion. In my opinion, it does not matter where Shaq has played. When he was winning titles with LA, the C's were in the lottery most years. There was o rivalry when Shaq played in LA. They were the dominant program, we were still reeling from Rick Pitino and missing Tim Duncan in the Lottery.

Sure, we made the playoffs and lost in the ECF to NJ one year, but to me, its just NOT a big deal.

What is more of a big deal has bee the widespread rumors of Shaq causing problems in the locker rooms in Miami, and Cleavland. However, Shaq knows he has a chance to win another ring.

Shaq will be motivated to beat Kobe for his 5th ring. Shaq will no longer be the dominant personality in the locker room. KG and Doc Rivers can handle Shaq.

I truly think we will see a different Shaq than we have seen the past 3-4 seasons. I fully expect Shaq to be in better shape and to be a contributor to hanging banner 18.

Shaq is a good fit to how we play on offense. Shaq can run the floor if he does not have to play extended minutes. I watched him do it against us in a couple of playoff games. At times, Shaq was the dominant player on the court for Cleavland, not LeDone James.

So, yeah, I pretty much think Boston's off season has been great. We got Jermaine O'Neal, and now Shaq. AND we STILL have Rasheed's contract to acquire a legit wing, capable of being a starter.

Ainge is starting to remind me of Red just a little bit. This was a crafty move for sure.

I can't wait for the presser with Shaq. Next, I can't wait to see the trade Ainge makes to get that last wing for our bench.

Next, I can't wait to crush Miami on opening night! Shaq welcoming LeDone back to the Boston Garden with a hard foul.

Yeah, I HAVE lost my mind.

Nice post but i think Shaq is going to be a dominant personality wherever he goes.  He's not going to suddenly become a quiet boring guy.

[Quinn]

I think that if Shaq had come into the league as a Laker, and spent his entire career there it would be different.He spent less than half of his total NBA seasons in  Laker uniform. If Shaq wants to come here I have no problem with him being an ex-Laker.

[indeedproceed]

So, both IP and FG - you'd take Lebron after what he did to CLE?

And Kobe? You really believe he could fit into our scheme? Everyone's entitled to an opinion on here, but mine stays pat as my opinion.

And I'm not wrong. It's my opinion.

Well...okay that's true, everyone gets an opinion.

But if you wanted to look at actual evidence...like stats, quotes from Kobe, actual game film...

I don't think that you could hold the same opinion without looking through green colored glasses.

Kobe is reprehensible for a lot of reasons. But its not really feasible to say he couldn't slide into the 2 spot at the cost of Ray Allen and be a drastic improvement.

[GreenFaith1819]

I would take Kobe if he'd come here.

I know you are probably speaking in theory, but I don't know about that one....we have a need for another center right now, but Kobe?

I'll take Ray over him at this time. Ray fits better into what Doc and Danny want for The Celtics. I don't know if Kobe could (or would) fit here, IMO.

I think that you're completely wrong, and that of all the "Top 5" guys (LeBron, Wade, Kobe, Howard, Durant), Kobe would probably fit in the best here.

I am a success ****. If a top-5 guy will come to Boston, I'll take him. Purely theoretical but if Kobe or Lebron wanted to be here, I'd welcome them with open arms.

So, FG - in Summer of 2007, were KG, Paul or Ray in the Top 5 of players? No matter where NBA players rank, they have to subscribe to Team.

Rankings don't mean a thing to me. Never have.

Lebron left his team and City. He couldn't elevate them to Championship status.

Do you Really believe that if Kobe had a chance he'd come here?

In order:

Summer of 07 - KG was the only guy, arguably, in the top 5. Not sure your point though.

There are many legit criticisms of Lebron. But he's not the reason they failed to win a title. That was due to roster construction around him.

No, I don't think there's any chance Kobe would come here. My point is that I don't care where a guy comes from. If he's great, let's get him to Boston.

Good Points, FG - and I can in fact see IndeedProceed's mentality here as well.

Sure - everyone would love to have any top 5 player on their team. But out of those 5 you named (Durant, Howard, Wade, Lebron Kobe), they all have flaws.

For Lebron: I'm starting to wonder if he will ever win a title, even in MIA. As much as CLE shuttled players into CLE to help him, I'm really starting to wonder.

Place Lebron in Green and take Paul away - theoretically: Do we win a title? Can he or could he elevate us? I'm starting to wonder now, especially after The Decision.

For Dwight: Will he ever develop a more rounded offensive Post game? Especially with a mentor like Patrick Ewing there to help him?

For Kobe - it took a gargantuan effort from Ron Artest (defensively and offensively) to win that game 7. Kobe, to his credit, had 15 rebs, but 6 for 24 shooting? In a decisive game 7? If it wasn't for Ron Ron playing good D on Pierce, we would've taken that series.

And Kobe would've been a non-factor.

I think Wade and Durant are maybe the most well-rounded and Championship-capable players in that top 5 you listed. And the funny thing? Who helped Wade win his title?

The man for why this thread even started  . TPs to IP and FG for the discussion, though.

[scaryjerry]

Shaq was with the Magic before he was ever a Laker, and been with 3 teams since being in LA...nd he wants to see kobe and the lakers lose as much or more then many of us

[Birdbrain]

Am I the only one really disturbed by this shaq signing?  This is not "just" a former Laker, he's a three time Laker champion.  I'm not calmed by the fact he has drifted since those years, he is and always will be the enemy to me and I as a fan cannot for the first time support Danny's decision.  Insert sad face....

I can get behind some good Laker hate no doubt but, most of the fans that follow the C's don't really consider Shaq and early 00's Lakers (other than Kobe whom everybody hates or they aren't really a C's fan in the first place)in the same category because of the fact that the C's never really competed against them for anything of consequence.  Plus Shaq disowned LA and asked Kobe how his nether region tastes so he gets a pass for his past Lakerdom from me.

But I do appreciate the fact that there appears to be at least some fans out there that would be against anyone coming to C's out of pure hate.  As you can see from the responses that type of Celtic fandom has been kind of replaced by the Twilight Celticfandom where everything is hugs and kisses.  Sort of LJ 3 some version of the NBA.  Not quite my style of fandom so I'll give you a big fat TP for pure hate.  

[ReggieLewis#35]

Shaq is welcome here,he is a former Laker but also a KOBE hater,so hes ok in my book.Welcome to the Celtics,lets show the Heat who the Beast of the East is!!!!

[guava_wrench]

Who cares if he wore a Laker uniform. He isn't the team.

People get carried away hating the players on the Lakers when it is with the team that we have a rivalry, not the players. Apart from Vujacic, who else on the Lakers has even expressed Celtic hate?

For the player haters out there, just remember the bridges that were burned when Shaq left LA. He talked pretty bad about the team and Kobe, so that should score him some Tommy points.

Above all, imagine Shaq retiring after helping bring another banner to Boston. Would his time in LA mean anything to us then? Considering Shaq wants to beat LA & Kobe as much as any of us want the Celtics to do so, it seems to be a good match.

[erisred]

We have signed big men in each of the last two years that I can't stand.  Shaq isn't one of them.  I'm very excited by this addition.  I don't think of him as a Laker anymore, and I'm not sure it would matter even if I did.

For the salary and the role, we could not have done better.  Awesome signing, and it's great how Ainge took his time and got it done for peanuts.  We just got Shaq for Shelden Williams/JR Giddens money.  It's pretty crazy.

Shaq's vet min is a little more than Shelden and JR because he has over 10 years in the league but I agree this is a steal! I think I read yesterday that Shaq will cost 1.3mil for a year.

Good signing.. can't wait for the official announcement!

Actually, it's better than that. Shaq will get paid 1.35 million, but because it is a vet min contract, the league will chip in all of it above approximately 750,000. His contract will count on the cap at the lower number, too, thus a savings on the luxury tax for the owners.  

The only (minor) bad thing about this is if it's a one year deal. Danny should locked Shaq up for two, at least have an option on the second year.

[sbm8196]

We have signed big men in each of the last two years that I can't stand.  Shaq isn't one of them.  I'm very excited by this addition.  I don't think of him as a Laker anymore, and I'm not sure it would matter even if I did.

For the salary and the role, we could not have done better.  Awesome signing, and it's great how Ainge took his time and got it done for peanuts.  We just got Shaq for Shelden Williams/JR Giddens money.  It's pretty crazy.

Shaq's vet min is a little more than Shelden and JR because he has over 10 years in the league but I agree this is a steal! I think I read yesterday that Shaq will cost 1.3mil for a year.

Good signing.. can't wait for the official announcement!

Actually, it's better than that. Shaq will get paid 1.35 million, but because it is a vet min contract, the league will chip in all of it above approximately 750,000. His contract will count on the cap at the lower number, too, thus a savings on the luxury tax for the owners.  

The only (minor) bad thing about this is if it's a one year deal. Danny should locked Shaq up for two, at least have an option on the second year.

Thanks for the clarification on the money.  Even better news!