Shaquille O’Neal: Holding Down the Fort
Shaq's playing his best basketball in several years.
When the Celtics signed center Jermaine O’Neal this off-season with the team’s entire mid-level exemption (the money a team over the luxury tax can offer during free agency), it appeared that the Celtics had found their plug in the middle with Kendrick Perkins out.
At the time, the Celtics were hopeful they could convince Rasheed Wallace to reconsider his decision to retire and the the team would be fine at center.
Well, we never heard from Sheed and Jermaine is out with nagging injuries and we won’t see him until he is 100% healthy.
Good thing Danny Ainge signed Shaquille O’Neal.
The future hall-of-famer signed for the veteran’s minimum and could have been had by any team in the league. The Celtics are not any team though. Shaq wanted to be here.
Shaquille O’Neal’s career has been mired by injuries coupled with under-performing teams the past half decade and he simply wanted to be part of something special. He did not care what his role was, as long as he part of it.
Now, as the season kicks into high gear, he is the starting center on this 2010 Boston Celtics team.
The Diesel is dominating thus far and is truly setting the tempo for the Celtics. His 69% shooting is a welcomed site and Rajon Rondo is finding the big man early and often in games. The impact the 38-year old is having early in games is giving the team necessary momentum and an absolute force down low.
Shaq's unique personality has blended nicely with this squad.
He is also doing the dirty work on the boards, as his offensive rebounding numbers are right where Perkins usually sits. It’s as if they’re not missing a beat.
The best part is that coach Doc Rivers has been able to manage to the big man’s minutes and he is averaging just under 23 MPG, a career low. This is crucial for the elder statesman and the team as they battle through a plethora of injuries with the big men. Bottom line is the C’s need him for the long run.
Shaq’s unique personality has also blended nicely with this established group of veteran’s. Outside of the recently missed practice, he has been a model citizen and has checked his ego at the door. His presence has admittedly loosened things up in the locker room and at practices according to Kevin Garnett which was much needed after brutal finish to last season.
Shaq has exceeded expectations in every way thus far. If the Big Shamrock can stay healthy (and it is a big if) and if the C’s can get other big men healthy to give him time off, they can have a strong Shaq heading into the NBA playoffs. Scary to think what a man with four rings can do with this team that is oh so close.
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