Was it "Un-Celtic" of Shaq to tell James, Wade to win chip?

[paulcowens]

 I hate the comment, but not because of the Heat/Celtics rivalry.   I hate it because of what Wade  did to Rondo.  Yes, I know it's fashionable to pretend it didn't happen, just like it's fashionable to pretend The Trade was a great deal instead of a disaster, but I'm sorry, I'm not drinking that koolaide.

I didn't expect Rondo to say anything about it, but I do expect team mates who have any loyalty to at least refrain from publicly gladhanding the Heat.

[18isGREATERthan72]

For real?  Making something out of nothing, in my opinion.

Did you miss the part where Shaq, a 19 year veteran, who has met hundreds of coaches in his career, singled out only TWO coaches in his farewell speech?  Phil Jackson, who he won 3 championships with, and our very own Doc Rivers.  I think that speaks volumes about Doc Rivers being a player's coach.

[LarBrd33]

It was "Un-Celtic" of Shaq to win 3 titles for the Lakers.

His last great Laker-feat was seducing Danny Ainge into believing he would be healthy enough for the playoffs.

Shaq's been dead to me since game 1 of the playoffs.

[cornbreadsmart]

Shaq is a lousy teammate. He has been for awhile. I'm sure he's a fun jokester but he's been letting teams down for YEARS now after being one of the best players of all time. He is extremely overweight. For those who say oh he's a big guy,he's 40,it's hard for him to lose weight.  That's a joke. Look at the 50 somethings on the biggest loser dropping unbelievable pounds in weeks. Shaq couldnt lose 30-40 in the past few YEARS? Lazy. HE LET'S DOWN HIS TEAMMATES.

[PaulPierce34G]

I have no problem with it.  Shaq played with each of those guys and he was just trying to be classy towards them.  I'm sure if the Mavs win, he will still congratulate Dirk and J. Kidd.  Had he played with them, rather than LBJ and D. Wade, I'm sure he would have said, "Go get that ring, Dirk and Jason."  It's not like Shaq is a closet MIA fan.  The point is that he played with the other two and he has ties to them....hence why he would have made those comments.  I think it is stupid to think Shaq "dis-respected" Boston by wishing two of their rival players well...Today was not about the Lakers, Heat, Celtics, Suns, Cavs or Magic..It was about Shaq, and his career just so happened to make stops to each of those cities along the way.

[GreenFaith1819]

I can't fault Shaq for this.

At least he waited until he retired before saying it.

Shaquille O'Neal has made millions...he's almost got his Doctorate. He could've retired 3 years ago, but he chose to try to bring Lebron a ring AND add another ring to our own Big Four.

He did a lot for the Boston community...the statue...the Symphony. The other stuff he probably did behind the scenes.

To me, he's been a great addition.

He didn't cause a ruckus, even when our own Perk still laid claim to being the starter.

He fit right in, without any controversy.

He and Perk threw their weight around in that game in LA, with about 14 boards between them. That's a LOT out of a recently-returned Perk and a 39 year-old body. Those boards helped us get some revenge in LA and sent a message to them.

His play figured in helping us win 20-25 games this year. That's a LOT out of a 39 year-old body...the same body that's battled the likes of Dwight...Yao..Hakeem...Patrick...Zo....JO...Ben Wallace...plus many other centers over his 19 year career...he's been hacked-up..beat on...fouled...yanked on.....knocked down.

Eventually, he would have to leave, after all of that.

But boy it was an awesome ride, for me at least. To see the Big Fella in Green - even if it was towards the end of his career?

Great, indeed. I'll miss him. He came from an era of great Big Men, and he dominated it, even showing signs of doing so in Green.

There won't be another like him, as far as centers go.

[Eja117]

I loved having Shaq here.  Except when he was hurt. It wasn't his fault the Celts kept saying "He'll be back annnnnyyy day now."

But yes it's un-Celtic.

The thing is his job is done here now. He's retired and can say what he wants. And so can we.

[Bahku]

I can't fault Shaq for this.

At least he waited until he retired before saying it.

Shaquille O'Neal has made millions...he's almost got his Doctorate. He could've retired 3 years ago, but he chose to try to bring Lebron a ring AND add another ring to our own Big Four.

He did a lot for the Boston community...the statue...the Symphony. The other stuff he probably did behind the scenes.

To me, he's been a great addition.

He didn't cause a ruckus, even when our own Perk still laid claim to being the starter.

He fit right in, without any controversy.

He and Perk threw their weight around in that game in LA, with about 14 boards between them. That's a LOT out of a recently-returned Perk and a 39 year-old body. Those boards helped us get some revenge in LA and sent a message to them.

His play figured in helping us win 20-25 games this year. That's a LOT out of a 39 year-old body...the same body that's battled the likes of Dwight...Yao..Hakeem...Patrick...Zo....JO...Ben Wallace...plus many other centers over his 19 year career...he's been hacked-up..beat on...fouled...yanked on.....knocked down.

Eventually, he would have to leave, after all of that.

But boy it was an awesome ride, for me at least. To see the Big Fella in Green - even if it was towards the end of his career?

Great, indeed. I'll miss him. He came from an era of great Big Men, and he dominated it, even showing signs of doing so in Green.

There won't be another like him, as far as centers go.

TP for this. Shaq was a perfect fit for this team, IMHO, it's just such a shame that his body didn't allow him to prove it completely. To get another Championship with the Big Three and have Shaq's career end on such a high note would have been fitting, but alas, life is not always as accomoddating as we would like. Great career ... great guy. God bless him on the rest of his journey.