Home » Sports » Basketball
Shaq signs up with Celtics on 2-year deal
Source: Agencies |
August 6, 2010, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE Boston Celtics signed Shaquille O'Neal on Wednesday, adding the 15-time All-Star center to a team needing his size with center Kendrick Perkins recovering from knee surgery that could sideline him until February.
The 2.16-meter, 147-kilogram center in the twilight of a brilliant career is coming to the Eastern Conference champions, hoping to add to his four NBA titles.
O'Neal signed a two-year contract worth about US$3 million, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said on condition of anonymity because no details were released. So this is where Shaq's colorful career will end after 20 seasons if he completes his contract with the Celtics.
After receiving little interest from other teams, O'Neal will play with Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, Boston's "Big Three" since Garnett and Allen arrived before the 2007-08 season.
From the first pick in the 1992 draft out of Louisiana State to dominant, rim-rattling inside force to complementary player, O'Neal's NBA travels have taken him to six teams and 15 All-Star games.
He is the fifth leading scorer with 28,255 points and 14th in rebounds with 12,921 in league history. He's averaged 24.1 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.3 blocks and was the NBA MVP in 2000.
His foul shooting might still be a problem and his lumbering style could slow down a running game, but the Celtics need the big center because Perkins is out, possibly until February.
"If we get to another Game 7 down the line, I'm sure we will be glad we have Shaq on the team," Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck said.
The team considered too old by some, despite nearly winning the title, has decided to rely for two more years on a group of 30-plus stars, all likely headed for the Hall of Fame. O'Neal, 38, joins Pierce, 32, Garnett, 34, and Allen, 35. The Celtics also signed free agent center Jermaine O'Neal, 31, a six-time All-Star? after the season.
All five are signed for two seasons, except Pierce, who has four years left on the deal he signed after the season. Point guard Rajon Rondo, 24, also is in the fold for four more years.
The 2.16-meter, 147-kilogram center in the twilight of a brilliant career is coming to the Eastern Conference champions, hoping to add to his four NBA titles.
O'Neal signed a two-year contract worth about US$3 million, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said on condition of anonymity because no details were released. So this is where Shaq's colorful career will end after 20 seasons if he completes his contract with the Celtics.
After receiving little interest from other teams, O'Neal will play with Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, Boston's "Big Three" since Garnett and Allen arrived before the 2007-08 season.
From the first pick in the 1992 draft out of Louisiana State to dominant, rim-rattling inside force to complementary player, O'Neal's NBA travels have taken him to six teams and 15 All-Star games.
He is the fifth leading scorer with 28,255 points and 14th in rebounds with 12,921 in league history. He's averaged 24.1 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.3 blocks and was the NBA MVP in 2000.
His foul shooting might still be a problem and his lumbering style could slow down a running game, but the Celtics need the big center because Perkins is out, possibly until February.
"If we get to another Game 7 down the line, I'm sure we will be glad we have Shaq on the team," Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck said.
The team considered too old by some, despite nearly winning the title, has decided to rely for two more years on a group of 30-plus stars, all likely headed for the Hall of Fame. O'Neal, 38, joins Pierce, 32, Garnett, 34, and Allen, 35. The Celtics also signed free agent center Jermaine O'Neal, 31, a six-time All-Star? after the season.
All five are signed for two seasons, except Pierce, who has four years left on the deal he signed after the season. Point guard Rajon Rondo, 24, also is in the fold for four more years.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
