Shaq Signs with the Celts (Official per Celtics.com; Report: 2 years, $2.8 mil)

[oldmanspeaks]

The thing I want to see is Rondo running his man into Shaq. Two big men (LBJ and Shaq) seldom work well together in pick situations but a big one and little one do work well. I play with some "big boys" and there is nothing like the instant alert you experience when you run full speed into a powerlifter. Imagine yourself like that of mud splattering against a brick wall and then gradually sliding down onto the floor. After that you are playing with your head on a swivel for the rest of the game.

[Cman]

This is a really big coup for Danny Ainge.  

We all know Shaq is a shadow of his former self, but he still casts a pretty big shadow.  As a backup Center, this is a very very good signing, especially for the money involved and especially given how much money was tossed around at FAs this offseason.

With Perk out, and KG slowing down (and needing his minutes monitored), JO and Shaq are real nice to have.

Next up, addressing the backup wing position, preferably with a player who can be part of the Cs long term plans.

And, while we are throwing out laundry lists of wishes, it would be nice if Rondo didn't injure himself this offseason while playing for USA...

[TheTruth34]

I like this signing from the standpoint of depth.  Last year Perkins averaged 28 minutes per game as the true 5 on the roster, and Rasheed averaged 22 backing up the 4 and 5. So I think Shaq is the best available replacement and Jermaine O'Neal effectively takes Rasheed's role, playing the PF and C.  We needed someone to matchup physically with the true centers in the playoffs (namely Howard, Bynum) and Shaq can do that for this team.   I cannot imagine that the Celtics are counting on much from a recovering Perk in 2010-11 and this signing covers them in case Perk lacks effectiveness upon his return.

[RebusRankin]

Shaq for 20 minutes a game is good for us. Think about him against some of the NBA's backups centers. Instant offense, plus room for shooters like Nate and Wafer.

[blake]

2 years at the Vet Min?  Brilliant Danny.  Brilliant.

[GreenEnvy]

Maybe I am wearing my green glasses right now, but I really think this will be a great signing. I think he will put the work in, cut down his body weight. I truly believe he is motivated after seeing what LeBron did, who Miami thinks they are, and of course Kobe winning his fifth ring.

All that should make one mad Shaq, which hopefully makes a dedicated one.

One-two more small moves and we are set.

I am extremely excited about the upcoming season. Shaq will definitely keep things entertaining.

[Celtics4ever]

Big foul trouble should not be an issue for us anymore either.  Shaq is 6 hard fouls too.

[Kwhit10]

2 years huh?  Since Shaq stated that he had 2 more years left, that means he will retire a Celtic?

[Jon]

I think we've all talked a lot about the many thing I really  do for us.  However, the one thing I really like (assuming he is coming off the bench) is that he makes our bench so much more talented. 

Nate is a nice scorer, as is Baby, but Shaq makes each of them better (as neither will now be the primary focus of defenders) and if we can't get anything worthwhile for Sheed, he improves the chances that Von Wafer and Daniels can stay on the court to give PP and RA rest. 

I also love the idea that if our largely jump shooting team goes cold, we can ride Shaq for games to give us baskets.  Even at his age, he's the best post player we've had since McHale retired. 

[Gomesfan]

Here is another link saying two years for Shaq!

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AnK_0b10QIY.7nZ_9UayPJa8vLYF?slug=ap-celtics-onealsigns

[Meadowlark_Scal]

Well, now that the big hammer is here.....what would we like.....;
1 Can he REALLY get in shape, before the season starts, instead of making the most of his celebrity, commercials, music, ect....

2 Can he adjust to do what is needed, not just what he wants (otherwise known as a team player).
 
# Well, I DID ask for an enforcer, so we have maybe Oneil jr for cheap shots, and O'neil sr for real enforcing...i like that part of it, you bring it, you start it, you GET IT. Shaq can and will dole it out, he slammed perk last year, then pinned him down for 3 minutes...Hey, the refs used to love him, will they still, now that he is O'wearing-the-GREEN..? Will he still get to back people down? Will he still get to camp in the paint..? HEYYYYY, scal was on TV the other day, realistically comparing HIS game to shaqs, straight up....hahahhah, Shaq loves the paint, Scal hates it...and scal looks like the "Dutch Boy" on the PAINT can..now is that ironic, or what...they said he wasn't joking when he said it...and from his life on the C's, I think, he believes he is really a major player, WOW, The Kings Clothes: VS- Scals Uniform (clothes)..who tells him these things....not his stats...!

[BballTim]

2 years huh?  Since Shaq stated that he had 2 more years left, that means he will retire a Celtic?

  All the best players do...

[mikemj]

I also love the idea that if our largely jump shooting team goes cold, we can ride Shaq for games to give us baskets.  Even at his age, he's the best post player we've had since McHale retired. 

I agree, one of our weaknesses last year was that the offense would go stagnant for extended periods of time. Remembering back, this was even a bit of an issue in 2008, though that team could often use pure energy to get back into a game.

A post player like Shaq could help in the situations where ball movement stops and shooters go cold. Yeah, it won't do wonders for the ball movement and running good sets, but it could hold off an opponent's run for a few minutes. Better than watching Perk or Davis try to post up, which we saw in the playoffs.

[WeMadeIt17]

When is the press confrence?

[kozlodoev]

Shaq for 20 minutes a game is good for us. Think about him against some of the NBA's backups centers. Instant offense, plus room for shooters like Nate and Wafer.

Shaq for 20 minutes is awful. Shaq for 15 minutes may be tolerable.