Lol, I used dumb so you're gonna berate me for word-choice? whatever. Anyways, he was pathetic yet Cavs still managed to get the best RS Record.. hmm I'm befuddled here. And I'm aware of its importance, but you're basing him being "done" off of his lack of LM. He's a top-10 center still and while he's much past his prime still can provide impact. And of course he'll be significant in the playoffs - if you haven't realized from Doc's scheme last year - they could care less about R.S. as they sacrificed HCA to get healthy and gear up for the P.O's. So you're saying he'll help them - but at the same time he's a negative? Anways, Shaq is still very useful and will be a difficult matchup for other teams to defend the C's as their frontcourt is loaded now. So yes your assessment of the potential signing is "dumb".
It wasn't Shaq's fault the lost to Boston. The Cavs guards were killed and Lebron ceased to be superhuman. Boston proved to be tough out anyway, manhandling Orlando worse than Cleveland and a couple of plays away from the title. This move by Boston could help against 2 of the 3 teams they have beat. They don't have to worry about the rest of the league. With Perkins, J Oneal (actually I question this guys mentality to fit a lesser role than he is used to more) & even KG or Big Baby as C options they have lots of alternatives for different match-ups. I believe Shaq would also have to sign at close to the vet min & he is going to a team with rock solid vet and coaching leadership he will respect. I'll reiterate I don't think Shaq will be as good as alternatives vs lots of opponents, including Miami (or another athletic or perimeter team like the Suns, Hawks, etc). I am not even sure if Shaq will want to play that much against those guys anyway (unless it is a big TV game as you said). But there are not many better guys to counter to Howard and Bynam for 20 minutes, and certainly none at the salary level. IMO it is a nobrainer for them.
I think many people (all over, not here specifically) are overstating the negatives with Shaq going to Boston. Pick and Roll: Yeah he's had difficulty with it. Here's a thought I read elsewhere: The pick and roll is most often a point guard/center rotation. Now look at Shaq's partners in this defense: Mo Wiliiams, Steve Nash, Derek Fisher (some shmoe in Miami)-- in other words, all poor defensive points. In Boston it's Rondo (the top defensive point in the league) and a very mobile, very well coordinated Boston team defense. If it's run with an off guard or small forward, the Celtics have someone else who knows what they're doing. Backing Up: Shaq's always been a starter. Now he's a reserve. That means more often than not he'll be going against second stringers instead of starters. That alone will make him much more effective on both ends, just because of the talent level he'll be facing. (Think of the names of back up centers he'll be matching up with.) Attitude: The Celtics have picked up Cassell, Marbury, Robinson, and Payton in recent years. None of these guys undermined that locker room. Time: Shaq's minutes will be the lowest of his career. He can expend more energy with limited minutes. Also his presence allows Garnett and the other O'Neal to do the same. Fouls: Shaq gets the other team in foul trouble, putting them in the penalty earlier. That's more free throws for his teammates earlier each quarter he plays in. Clogging up the lane: That mattered to LeBron who's a driving widebody and needed space. Rondo is slim, superfast, and will penetrate anyway. Everyone else can hoist it over the top, and Shaq bringing the defense down low will help the outside shooters. This depth gives Doc Rivers a ton of options. He can put all sorts of lineups out there to match up with anyone. This will just be fascinating to watch.
I think a guy with three Finals MVPs has earned the right to spend his final years only playing for contenders.
Rasheed wasn't helping the Celtics spread the floor last year because nobody defended him. Teams were happy to watch him jack up threes all night long at 28%.
The Cavs should have started Z- who would have opened things up for LeBron, THEN brought Shaq in- who would have strengthened the bench. That's what Boston will do.
It sounds like only the Hawks and Celtics were in the running. There have been rumors that Shaq and Wade didn't get along at the end. Also Doc Rivers started working on Shaq last month in Orlando.
Didn't Shaq say that he'd rather retire then go out like a chump? Though I'm now wondering where his jersey will be retired, since it sure won't be LA.
i agree. Plus over the hill guys aer great on contenders. Givs the networks something to talk about other than the usual stars
Because there's nothing like Jesus Shuttlesworth's ability to forgive his father for killing his mother.
I think he'd be a good fit with the Celtics. Aside from Rondo, no one really plays uptempo so the speed of the game would fit him well.
It'd be absurd if LA didn't retire his jersey. Bygones will be bygones and it will eventually happen.
