Shaquille O’Neal Signs With The Boston Celtics

By Randall Stevens

The Big Three in Boston just became a very BIG FOUR. The Boston Celtics signed Shaquille O'Neal on Wednesday (August 4th), who will help center Kendrick Perkins shoulder the load in the middle as he recovers from knee surgery that could keep him outta the line-up until February. According to ESPN.com, Shaq agreed to a two-year deal worth about $3 million. However, details have not been confirmed. Big Shaq Diesel joins Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, on a team that went to Game 7 of the NBA Finals last season before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers. In addition to Shaq, this off-seasn, Boston has signed center-forward Jermaine O'Neal. "I am honored to be joining the Celtics," O'Neal said in a statement issued by the club. "I have played against Paul, Ray, Kevin, Rajon, and Jermaine for many years and it will be great to be able to call them my teammates. I cannot wait to get to Boston to get started in pursuit of another championship." The Celtics have 17th NBA titles, their last coming in 2008. Shaq has four rings and hopes to make it five next season. "It is not every day that you can add a player of Shaquille's caliber to your team," Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said in the statement. "His past experience speaks for itself and we believe that he is a great fit for our roster." At Boston, Shaq will wear #36, not the #32 as most are accustomed to seeing him in.