Shaq and C's still far apart.

[minijericho29]

http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/celtics/index.php/2010/08/04/source-shaqs-talks-with-cs-still-up-in-air/

Give me a TP!  I need some!

[Bahku]

Interesting, considering this CSNNE report says the agreement has been made for one year. (Posted earlier):



Aug 4, 2010
By A. Sherrod Blakely
CSNNE.com

Shaquille O'Neal has agreed to become a Boston Celtic, which would give the C's one of the most star-studded, Hall of Fame-bound lineups in recent memory.

He joins a team that already includes perennial all-stars Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett.

Although O'Neal has said he wants to play at least two more seasons, his contract will be a one-year deal for the veteran's minimum.

The union between the C's and O'Neal speaks volumes about how both sides, truth be told, have little choice but to unite with one another.

Boston came into the summer in desperate need of added depth in the frontcourt with Kendrick Perkins (torn ligaments in his right knee) out until at least February, and the expected retirement of Rasheed Wallace.

The Celtics signed rookie center Semih Erden and later, veteran big man Jermaine O'Neal.

But for Boston to remain among the NBA's premier teams, it was clear that the C's had to do more.

O'Neal was not a serious consideration for most of the summer primarily because his asking price was significantly more than the Celtics  (and most teams, for that matter) were willing to pay.

But as the summer wore on, the Big Diesel was not in Big demand as team after team began to fill their roster while in the process, pass on adding the future Hall of Famer and three-time NBA Finals MVP.

It got to the point where teams that had an even greater need for an inside presence, like the Atlanta Hawks, were not willing to bring him aboard for his steep asking price.

But O'Neal made it clear that whatever team he signed with, it had to be a team that had a legit shot at winning a championship.

"For me, it's been a real thinking process," O'Neal told the Associated Press on Tuesday. "I came into the league very graciously and want to go out very graciously. My main thought was I would like to play for a winning franchise, somebody that's used to winning, somebody that keeps winning."




A. Sherrod Blakely can be reached at sblakely@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Sherrod on Twitter at http://twitter.com/sherrodbcsn.[/i]



http://bleacherreport.com/tb/b5byl

[droopdog7]

No reason not to give him a second year if he wants it.  The sign and trade scenerio on the other hand is sketchier.

[minijericho29]

If they can sign Shaq to the minimum and still spin Rasheed later on for someone who can help out the second unit, I will do the Dougie like no other.

[GreenFaith1819]

So what is true? Is he the Big Shamrock or still The Big Freeze? The main page of the Blog seems to place him in Green..

[Roy Hobbs]

If Shaq wants a second year, the team should of course give it to him (at the minimum).  If he wants more money, I think the team may call his bluff.

[CelticsWhat35]

That's the problem with the twitter mindset of the reporting world.  Reporters nowadays would rather be first and then hope that they were right, as opposed to being right, and then hope that they were first.

[minijericho29]

Remember about 12 years ago, Rodman dyed his hair green and WEEI was reporting that he was coming to the C's?  Yeah, two days later he was a Bull.

[Andy Jick]

That's the problem with the twitter mindset of the reporting world.  Reporters nowadays would rather be first and then hope that they were right, as opposed to being right, and then hope that they were first.

As soon as it's posted on Wikipedia then I'll know it's true...

[Evantime34]

Remember about 12 years ago, Rodman dyed his hair green and WEEI was reporting that he was coming to the C's?  Yeah, two days later he was a Bull.

If something like this happened with Shaq I would be absolutely crushed.

[Las Vegas Asian]

Sounds like it's official...

http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/press_release/press080410-celtics-sign-shaq.html

[vinnie]

Just saw tweet from @celtics that Shaq has signed and release to follow shortly from celtics.com. Someone made a post here about it, but for some reason it was deleted.

[j804]

I'm sure hes not to happy about taking the vet minimum and this deal will probably not fall through. I could see him going to the Hawks or Bulls. Afterall its all about that dollar to most, wether or not that includes Shaq is yet to be seen.

I was very excited about his acquisition now to hear this. Blah.