The Big Diesel, The Big Cactus, and The Big Witness are all past or present nicknames for free agent big man Shaquille O'Neal. The most likely nickname for Shaq this coming season? The Big Shamrock.
According to A. Sherrod Blakely (August 30th guest on The Celtics Late Night Show), Shaquille O'Neal is close to signing with the Boston Celtics. Shaq has been persistent for most of the offseason saying that he will only play for a contending team. Previous rumors had Shaq possibly going to Atlanta and Boston, but today sources believe that he is set on coming to Boston.
Via A. Sherrod Blakely (CSNNE):
For weeks, free agent Shaquille O'Neal has made no secret about wanting to play for the Boston Celtics while the C's have made it clear that they wanted to add at least one more big man to the mix.It appears both sides are close to getting what they want.CSNNE.com has learned that the C's are "close" to bringing the 15-time all-star to Boston which would give the C's one of the deepest frontcourts in the NBA this session.
If this rumor is true, which I believe it is, Shaq will be signed for the veterans minimum of around $1.35 million. The only other option would have been a sign and trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers; however, this option was erased when Brian Windhorst from The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that the Cavaliers are not involved in a possible sign and trade.
Comcast Boston reports Celtics close to a contract with Shaq. According to sources, Cavs are not involved in sign-and-trade talks w/Celtics.
To be quite frank, I'm not so sure about signing Shaq. There's no doubt we need a big man and there's no doubt Shaq's the best big out there, but there are a lot of questions surrounding the signing.
Can he accept a role off the bench? What will happen when Perkins comes back in February? Will he be too big of a presence in the driving lanes for Pierce and Rondo? Can he adapt to the Celtics defensive schemes?
None of these questions can be answered until the season starts, and that's the scary thing. Remember people, this is the same guy that we were saying destroyed everything good in Cleveland. What makes us thing he won't do the same in Boston?
All I can say is: I hope he can prove me wrong. Oh and one more thing: I hope he works out better than "regular season Sheed".
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