Sources: Shaquille O'Neal to Boston

[Scurrilous]

<snip>

"Shaquille O'Neal has decided to join the Boston Celtics, according to sources with knowledge of the situation. He is expected to tell the team of his intentions Wednesday morning.

The length of the contract is not known, but O'Neal, who has been seeking a two-year deal, will play for the veteran's minimum of $1.4 million annually.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers began pursuing O'Neal last month when the two met in Orlando. Boston and the Atlanta Hawks were the two clubs most interested in O'Neal, and sources say O'Neal chose the Celtics because he believes they have a better chance of winning what would be his fifth NBA championship.

O'Neal, 38, averaged 12 points and 6.7 rebounds last season for the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the Cavs' six-game loss to Boston in the Eastern Conference semifinals, he averaged 13.5 points and 5 rebounds in 23 minutes a game."

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/news/story?id=5436289

[JonLP24]

1. That was a shocker

I didn't expect that. This should drive joey crazy.

[TZ]

2. No what would drive Joey crazy

would be if for some reason the Pats picked up Brett Favre to play for them..Ah the frothing at the mouth would be excellent...:evilgrin:

[joeybee12]

3. Why, I oughta!!!!!

:grr:

[JonLP24]

8. LOL

I just thought of something. What if Boston signed Alex Rodriguez. :evilgrin:

[TZ]

10. Gods beloved and chosen team signing the devil?

I think that would make Joey believe in the Rapture...:rofl:

[joeybee12]

4. I'm not crazy, but confused...

talk about throwing away money...Shaq is done...retire already...there's no way this can be justified.

[JonLP24]

5. He can still be pretty tough to stop on offense

I recall the Boston-Cavaliers series they would throw it to Shaq and he would slam it uncontested. That happened probably every game that series. I recall Van Gundy(TV) suggesting they should do that every time which was a pass to Shaq in scoring position. BUT. Once Boston hacked and Shaq'd him Mike Brown got scared every damn time and didn't go to him again. If you recall down the stretch in every single one of those games Shaq was sitting on the bench which I thought was a mistake. He is a shell of himself but as a Center(which aren't known to be high scorers) he wasn't bad.

Defensively I think Glen Davis is much better though. Jermaine O'Neal really peaked with the Pacers but since then I don't know wth happened. I do think he can play up to that level but he hasn't in the last few years.

[joeybee12]

6. Seems to me you take players with an eye on the future...

...not the past. Maybe they'll get a good season out of him...maybe...and if they do, not much more than that.

[JonLP24]

7. I see him as a role player

Fitting in there somewhere with Glen Davis, Garnett, J. O'Neal. I say he gets about 9-12 PPG with 5-8 RPG depending on the minutes.

[joeybee12]

9. They'd be better off working with luke Harangody...n/t

On edit...yeah, different position, but my point is concentrate on the future.

[madinmaryland]

11. Joey. They brought him only to fill in for Kendrick Perkins who will not

be back until mid-season. When KP comes back, look for shaq to retire or play a very small (oops, bad choice) role on the team.

If he helps add a couple wins early in the season, and secure a two or three seed, it would be a good thing.

[El Supremo]

12. THIS AIN'T BASKETBALL SEASON!!!!!!

SHIT!